TORY MPs have an opportunity to “stand firm” against rumours the state pension will not rise in line with inflation, Labour said during a Commons debate today.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said that pensioners would be kept at the “forefront” while “tough choices” are to be made on government spending.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt are considering up to £60 billion in tax rises and spending cuts in the autumn Budget next week.

Tory backbenchers have hinted at a possible rebellion if state pensions and benefits are not raised to meet inflation.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth urged MPs to back Labour’s opposition day motion on maintaining the pensions triple lock, telling the Commons: “After all this Conservative Party triple-lock hokey-cokey, today is a clear opportunity for Conservative members to finally tell us where they stand.

“Today is an opportunity for Conservative members to finally end the uncertainty, finally end the mixed messages, finally end the worry for millions of pensioners who have seen their state pension cut while the cost-of-living soars and confirm that the pension will not be cut next year.”

Former Tory minister Sir John Hayes said Labour was trying to “make political capital out of a difficult issue,” but backbencher Duncan Baker urged ministers to maintain the link to inflation while former minister Kevin Foster said he was “looking forward” to a pledge from the government.