I am a pensioner and I am aware that a large number of pensioners live in extreme poverty. With rising prices they have to decide between eating or heating. For one of the richest countries in the world it is a shame that those who have given a lifetime service to their country and have paid taxes all their working lives should now be living in abject poverty. The triple lock is a system that ensures pensions are increased each year either in line with inflation, in line with average wage increases across the UK, or by 2.5 percent - whichever of these options provides the highest increase. This gives some small help to pensioners and it would be a tragedy if this meagre benefit was taken away from those who are already struggling to keep their dignity and self respect in tact.