William Hague calls for end to ‘runaway train’ of pension triple lock

Former Tory leader says it is time to stop party's adherence to policy, amid reports some in government are considering changes

The former Conservative leader William Hague has said it is time to ditch the triple lock on pensions - as figures showed the policy meant the state pension was likely to rise by 8.5% in April.

The cabinet minister Michelle Donelan later mounted a defence of the lock, which means increases in the state pension should be in line with whichever is highest of the average earnings increase, inflation or 2.5%. But the scale of the likely increase presents questions for both the Tories and Labour.