The Tories have been told it's "crazy" to increase state pensions in line with inflation while refusing to meet demands for pay hikes for millions of public sector workers.
Economist Lord Jim O'Neill, a former Treasury minister under George Osborne, branded protections for pensioners "ludicrous" in the face of soaring hardship for working families.
The consumer prices index (CPI) measure of inflation rose to 9.1% in the 12 months to May - its highest level in 40 years - as cost of living pressures mount for Brits.
