Scrapping triple lock could hammer Newcastle pensioners with £17 million less income than they were promised when the Conservatives were asking for their votes

The Conservative government's threat to scrap the triple lock on pensions would cost pensioners in Newcastle a colossal £17 million plus, new analysis by the Liberal Democrats has found.

The broken Conservative election promise would hit over 41,000 local pensioners, who would lose an average of £411 each a year if pensions were uprated with earnings rather than inflation.

The threat comes amidst the highest price rises in 40 years, and despite a Conservative manifesto promise at the last election to keep the triple lock in place.

Newcastle Liberal Democrats have accused the government of "flip flopping" on the issue and said dropping the promise would risk plunging pensioners in Newcastle into poverty at the very worst time. The party is calling for both pensions and benefits to be up-rated in line with inflation to protect vulnerable families and pensioners.

Mark Ridyard, Newcastle Liberal Democrats spokesman on fairness, said: "This Conservative government is flip flopping every week on pension cuts, leaving elderly residents in limbo and fearful for the future.

"Many local people we speak to are worried about the damage that a failure to uprate pensions could inflict. If the Conservative abandon their manifesto promise it risks plunging vulnerable pensioners into poverty, here and across the country.

"The Conservative record of saying one thing and doing another is just not good enough. Pensioners should not have to pay the price for the Conservative government's economic mess and mismanagement.

"Why is the Prime Minister not providing the reassurance that so many are crying out for? It seems he just doesn't care and is taking pensioners in places like Newcastle for granted, despite what they were promised when his party wanted their votes.

"Liberal Democrats want to see both benefits and pensions uprated in line with inflation to help ensure that no one is left cold or hungry this winter. Pensioners and the most vulnerable in our society must not be abandoned by this government"

This analysis uses data from DWP Benefits statistics