Tory leadership favourite Liz Truss has publicly said she intends to raise pensions next year by an expected 9-10% next year - amid fears poverty-stricken older people will die in "unprecedented" numbers this winter.
The Foreign Secretary had faced calls to restore the triple lock - which raises pensions by 2.5%, earnings or September's inflation figure - whichever is highest.
It comes as the government faces dire warnings that the number of elderly Brits dying from cold in the winter could reach record levels as the UK grapples with the unfolding energy crisis.
