Although the state pension triple lock will remain in place for next year's uprating, the prime minister did not commit the Conservative party to including it in the next general election manifesto. Similarly, deputy leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner refused to say that Labour would keep it if coming to power.
The IFS points out that the triple lock has a ratchet effect. As I understand it, this was deliberate planning on the part of David Laws and the other experts who devised the original Liberal Democrat policy. It meant that over time the income of state pensioners would come into line with those of other European nations. We had fallen significantly behind. If and when parity is reached will be the time to reconsider the percentage floor of the triple-lock, but not before.
In addition, the next government will have the problem of counteracting the Bank of England's anti-inflation policy, so loudly applauded by Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt. The Conservatives' traditional recipe for stimulating the economy has been to lob money to the big banks, which has had negligible effect. Far better to uprate pensions, social benefits and the national minimum wage which will feed into the economy swiftly, where it is most needed. There will then be a "trickle-up" effect as the service industries - and the banks - feel the benefit.
One trusts that the forthcoming conferences which still have influence on their parties' manifestos will maintain their commitment to the triple-lock.
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