With Rachel Reeves likely to make drastic changes to help our ailing economy in her Autumn Budget, should the 'triple-locked' State Pension be cut?

 

 

Roger Bootle, a leading UK economist, warns of a "twin-pronged fiscal headache" facing Britain this winter, suggesting the need to reconsider the pension "triple lock" to manage debt. As the Senior Independent Advisor at Capital Economics, Bootle highlights challenges ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Autumn Budget. He criticizes the triple lock, which increases state pensions by the highest of price inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%, calling it "an abomination" that should be dropped.

 

The two-pronged issue includes rising debt and tax burdens. Bootle suggests that economic growth could alleviate these problems, but current government policies aren't facilitating this. He argues for reduced public spending, noting that superficial cuts won't suffice.

 

In the Daily Telegraph, Bootle identifies pensions, welfare, health, and debt interest as drivers of increased public spending. To manage debt interest, he advises reducing debt and reassuring markets of fiscal responsibility. He proposes more significant cuts in pensions, welfare, and health, such as freezing pensions for three years and aligning increases with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

 

Bootle acknowledges the potential backlash from pensioners but emphasizes that welfare cuts are also necessary. He suggests freezing working-age benefits for three years, aligning future increases with CPI. The goal is to reduce public spending to just over 40% of GDP by 2030, and ultimately to 35% within a decade, similar to levels during the Thatcher government.

 

 

Key Takeaways

• Roger Bootle suggests reconsidering the pension "triple lock" to manage public debt.
• He advocates for significant cuts in pensions, welfare, and health spending.
• The aim is to reduce public spending to 35% of GDP within 10 years.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Express 2025-10-28

 

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Roger Bootle, a leading UK economist, warns of a "twin-pronged fiscal headache" facing Britain this winter, suggesting the need to reconsider the pension "triple lock" to manage debt. As the Senior Independent Advisor at Capital Economics, Bootle highlights challenges ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Autumn Budget. He criticizes the triple lock, which increases state pensions by the highest of price inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%, calling it "an abomination" that should be dropped.

 

Bootle identifies pensions, welfare, health, and debt interest as drivers of increased public spending.

 

What does Roger say about immigrant housing?

Nothing ...... he loves illegals!

Yes, let's go after the pensioners (again) to pay for the 4 star hotels for illegal immigrants. 🤮

 

 

7 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

It's sure to be a shocking budget full of tax rises.

 

That's the only reason 2 tier Keir has kept Rachel from accounts on board this long. Let her deliver the bad news then blame her and remove her. 

 

Expect more tears.

 

 

 

Mine if she hits SIPPs

6 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

Mine if she hits SIPPs

 

Probably will be.

 

That's the role of socialist governments. Remove money from hard working responsible people into the hands of the state to be reallocated to those who cannot be bothered who will hopefully re-elect you to keep the gravy train rolling, with the added benefit of destroying the economy.

 

Enjoy.

Don’t panic, put the safety lock back on your hair triggers.

 

Roger Bootle isn’t a member of the Government.

 

His opinion is for hire.

The reason for high lighting illegal migration is to cover up the millions coming in legally

 

Most of what is written is nonsense, look at the figures average is about 44 000 for irregular

entries, most of these are Afghans

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2025/how-many-people-come-to-the-uk-irregularly

 

This is what is changing Britain.

Where the real issue lies is here,  look at the stats from official government statistics, some take away,s up to 850 000 it was 1000 000 visas granted yearly for varity of reasons

160 000 to 242 000 given settlement a year AND 242 000 in the last year gained British citizenship. 

 after Brexit with cutting off the low paid millions  workers from Europe, the UK now has to source the workers from abroad usually on fixed contracts, but as long as they stay 5 years the can apply for ILR, many 100 000's came in on care worker visas and the could bring their families with them

 

see section 8

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-june-2025/summary-of-latest-statistics#how-many-people-are-granted-settlement-or-citizenship

 

 

 

 

1 minute ago, howerde said:

The reason for high lighting illegal migration is to cover up the millions coming in legally

 

Most of what is written is nonsense, look at the figures average is about 44 000 for irregular

entries, most of these are Afghans

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2025/how-many-people-come-to-the-uk-irregularly

 

This is what is changing Britain.

Where the real issue lies is here,  look at the stats from official government statistics, some take away,s up to 850 000 it was 1000 000 visas granted yearly for varity of reasons

160 000 to 242 000 given settlement a year AND 242 000 in the last year gained British citizenship. 

 after Brexit with cutting off the low paid millions  workers from Europe, the UK now has to source the workers from abroad usually on fixed contracts, but as long as they stay 5 years the can apply for ILR, many 100 000's came in on care worker visas and the could bring their families with them

 

see section 8

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-june-2025/summary-of-latest-statistics#how-many-people-are-granted-settlement-or-citizenship

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boris wave

49 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Roger Bootle isn’t a member of the Government.

 

His opinion is for hire.

 

A lot like you then.

 

But I agree in one sense, Bootle might well be inaccurate. It will likely be far worse than he has predicted. 

21 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

A lot like you then.

 

But I agree in one sense, Bootle might well be inaccurate. It will likely be far worse than he has predicted. 

No Jonny, my opinion isn’t fit hire.

 

I notice Roger Bootle has gone quiet on the impact of the BREXIT he backed on the UK economy.

 

In that sense a lot like you.

 

 

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No Jonny, my opinion isn’t fit hire.

 

I notice Roger Bootle has gone quiet on the impact of the BREXIT he backed on the UK economy.

 

In that sense a lot like you.

 

 

 

Isn't fit to hire you mean 😁

Three negative news comments removed.

 

@TopGun10

 

@Purdey

 

@JonnyF

 

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18 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No Jonny, my opinion isn’t fit hire.

 

It isn't fit for anything.

 

18 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

I notice Roger Bootle has gone quiet on the impact of the BREXIT he backed on the UK economy.

 

 

 

Like the improved US trade deal compared to the EU?

 

Labour ruined the economy with Reeve's budget for recession but at least blaming Brexit is a change from blaming The Tories.

Surely the British people cannot be so self centred and greedy as to not offer to reduce their pension voluntarily in order to help pay for all of the services required by our foreign brothers from far off lands whom we welcome to our shores with open arms. Welcome, enjoy your new life that we have paid for for you, hope you feel welcome and have all you require, just let us know if you need anything. Yes, you can still purchase knives online and in local shops, I am sure they will be priced well within the pocket money the Home office decide to give you all out of our pension pot, that we worked for until we were 67. Help yourselves.

22 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Yes, let's go after the pensioners (again) to pay for the 4 star hotels for illegal immigrants. 🤮

 

 

 

Illegal immigrants do not stay in 4 star hotels. I've seen a couple that are typical, and they are very basic. Maybe you have evidence to back up your claim?

Another misleading headline.

Aside from the obvious of not chucking good money after bad at ILLEGAL immigrants (deport them all, sink the boats), stop gifting expensive electric buggies to obese Britons that refuse to stop eating. The welfare bill for every council is astronomical, got eff all to do with Brexit. Fully expect state pension to be pretty much worthless and up to 70y if I ever get there. How to ruin a country inside a generation… BLAIR!

18 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Illegal immigrants do not stay in 4 star hotels. I've seen a couple that are typical, and they are very basic. Maybe you have evidence to back up your claim?

 

Sure.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Asylum seeker who chronicled his journey from France to UK on TikTok is now living in 'ultra chic, sophisticated' four-star hotel with the 'cosiest beds in London' where rooms cost £241 a night and taxpayers are footing the bill | Daily Mail Online

 

11 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Illegal immigrants do not stay in 4 star hotels. I've seen a couple that are typical, and they are very basic. Maybe you have evidence to back up your claim?

 

12 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Illegal immigrants do not stay in 4 star hotels. I've seen a couple that are typical, and they are very basic. Maybe you have evidence to back up your claim?

Well it's a good thing that they are not put up in 5 star hotels because they have a 10 year conract from 2019 to 2029 with 3 different hotel companies for15.3 BILLION pounds.So that's why the poor pommies are gonna have to bend over and cop a lot of cost cuts in the budget.That does not include the pocket money and free medical that they get.

13 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Sure.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Asylum seeker who chronicled his journey from France to UK on TikTok is now living in 'ultra chic, sophisticated' four-star hotel with the 'cosiest beds in London' where rooms cost £241 a night and taxpayers are footing the bill | Daily Mail Online

 

How much do you want to bet that you’ll be asked to provide proof for the same claim again….most likely by the same poster.  
 

I highly doubt that there will be any acknowledgment that they were wrong.

UK State Pension to be cut to save the UK economy

 

Wow, get rid of that women she's absolutely nuts.

This is an excuse so they can Waste more Taxpayers money from the poor working  class to the countries Invaders .

If we don’t get increases, then we won’t get cuts.

On 10/29/2025 at 7:34 AM, Chomper Higgot said:

Don’t panic, put the safety lock back on your hair triggers.

 

Roger Bootle isn’t a member of the Government.

 

His opinion is for hire.

In other words, he's as much of a whore as the women working in bars!

 

And the title of the article is (IMO) misleading .

 

Surely "UK State Pension might be adjusted to save the UK economy" would be more accurate?

81.74% of above posters ignored the financial proposals and economic data in their rush to spew their bigoted anti immigrant drivel. This is how low we’ve descended.

FWIW, I think that a temporary suspension of maybe one component of the triple lock on pensions would work.

The headline is totally misleading; there is no evidence to suggest that pensions will be cut or the 'Triple Lock' will be dropped although it should be. Link the state pension to inflation only.

It is difficult to find on-line clear breakdown by category of government spending of tax-payer's income (and borrowings and monopoly-money, paid for by future taxes including the tax called inflation).

Obfuscation rather than clarification.

Pie-charts seem to clarify matters until one realises it is often difficult to distinguish some colours from others.

 

But what is even more glaringly lacking is a description of WHY so much is devoted to certain sectors.

 

What is the overall cost of accepting, caring for, policing, legal costs etc in respect of acceptance of immigrants unable to financially self-support themselves (and families) and unable to offer work-skills urgently needed by an apparently labour-deficient United Kingdom ?

 

And leaving aside the national budget, what is the burden on local government budgets ?

 

And the effect on social cohesion ?  And the knock-on effects where the  'social glue' comes unstuck ?

 

We all should agree that good health is a desirable outcome.
But why does the so-called health budget increase by leaps and bounds while disease increases likewise ?
It is not due to longer life-spans and increasing population.
Just look at the rise in 'degeneracy' diseases amongst younger people.

Much medical research can be very costly and is biassed by either direct or indirect funding from vested interests.
Some of the most pertinent research findings do not make the limelight, and so are ignored by both the public and most medical practitioners.
The situation is slowly changing.  No thanks to officialdom.  But there is a long way to go.

 

The armed forces are supposed to protect us from external threats to our freedom and well-being.  They should be proportional both to the means a country can afford and to the threats to which it may foreseeably be subject.  The threats need to be assessed.  And reduced wherever possible, by the cheapest means: diplomacy, leading to mutually beneficial treaties.
Is the U.K. necessarily facing much greater threats at the present time ?
Or are threats being engineered in order to ramp up "defence" spending ?

 

17 hours ago, RayC said:

The headline is totally misleading; there is no evidence to suggest that pensions will be cut or the 'Triple Lock' will be dropped although it should be. Link the state pension to inflation only.

 

They'll drop whatever allows them to pay the pensioners as little as possible.

 

That should fund the police harassing said pensioners in the own homes over thought crimes.

 

https://www.gbnews.com/news/free-speech-row-kent-thought-crime-tweet-police-brexit-books

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

They'll drop whatever allows them to pay the pensioners as little as possible.

 

As I said previously, imo annual increases in the state pension should be linked to inflation (and nothing else).

 

However, there is nothing to suggest that the 'Triple Lock' is under immediate threat.

 

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

That should fund the police harassing said pensioners in the own homes over thought crimes.

 

https://www.gbnews.com/news/free-speech-row-kent-thought-crime-tweet-police-brexit-books

 

I suggest that you write to one or more of the following if you are concerned by this news item: The Police Ombudsman, The Chief Constables of the Metropolitan and/or Kent Police Forces, your MP, the Home Secretary, the PM (I may have missed out a few other interested parties).

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

They'll drop whatever allows them to pay the pensioners as little as possible.

 

That should fund the police harassing said pensioners in the own homes over thought crimes.

 

https://www.gbnews.com/news/free-speech-row-kent-thought-crime-tweet-police-brexit-books

Thanks for the link,  Confirms what I have read elsewhere.
A few years ago this would have seemed impossible in the U.K.
Historically - doubtlessly an exaggeration - every Englishman was said to have "the right to speak his mind to the King".  Freedom relative to other feudal countries.
The struggle for freedom has been ongoing for millenia and must continue.
The main threat now is from the techno-oligarchs who see themselves as having total control over the global population by controlling thought and spending.  Absence of all privacy, facial recognition, control of communications, digital I/Ds and CBDCs, etc.  No local bobbies left.  All part of a goon squad, for whom orders are orders.  Bury the precedents established by the Nuremburg trials.  We have gone beyond 1984.
The fight must go on.

How about cut social security to non working migrants?