Ending pension lock is a start, but there’s no easy fix to the yawning generation gap

Rishi Sunak has signalled that a policy agenda favouring older people is in retreat

Hunger for fairness is universal. But to want fairness does not mean to want equality. Rather, it means acceptance of the economic and social reality that intelligence, muscle, effort, application and ability may vary, but rewards must remain proportionate. No one should receive more than their due desert.

Crucially, fairness means recognising that life throws everyone undeserved good and bad luck, often through no fault of their own. The commonweal should step in to correct the resulting injustices. These concepts of proportionality and necessary collective action to mitigate the accidents of luck are deeply rooted. Nearly every society levies some tax when inheritance is passed from wealthy parents to wealthy children - and every society attempts to relieve, even if sometimes not very effectively, the circumstances of the children of the poor.

Pensioners will be reaping the bulk of the 'savings' made through savage cuts to the aid budget

Related: Rishi Sunak hints at suspension to pension triple lock