Ricky Tomlinson warns Rishi Sunak to keep pension pledge or ‘forgotten’ elderly will die

With Remembrance ­Sunday still fresh in our minds, Ricky Tomlinson warns that forces veterans could be caught up in any raid on pensions.

And the Royle Family star said he fears pensioners will die if the Tories break their election pledge to keep the triple lock in place.

Ricky, 83, said it was a “disgrace” the elderly are using foodbanks in one of the world’s richest nations and demanded No10 protect them in Thursday’s Budget.

He said: “The least we can do is repay them the debt of ­gratitude that we owe them.”

Ricky recalled the harrowing case of a pensioner who last year died trying to survive by eating ­cardboard.

He said: “I know people will die, because some of them are so proud they think they are asking for handouts and they won’t do it. They’re entitled to whatever they need. Shelter, warmth and food is not too much to ask.”

And of the dwindling number of veterans appearing at Poppy Day parades, Ricky said: “They’re having to remind the nation of the sacrifices they made. Some were in wheelchairs and on crutches. It makes me angry.

“They shouldn’t have to be worrying about ­electric and gas bills. The triple lock is a right. They paid, in a lot of cases, the ultimate price. They say lest we forget but I think we have forgotten.”

Scouser Ricky supports Age UK’s call for Rishi Sunak to ensure older people do not face a real terms cut to incomes.

The charity has told how elderly people are living on biscuits due to rising bills. Ricky added: “It’s appalling.

“One of the richest nations can’t feed and look after our pensioners.”

Age UK’s Caroline Abrahams added: “It’s hard to believe in 2022, we are facing a hardship among our older population of a kind we thought belonged to the past.”

Ricky was jailed in 1973 after being among 24 trade unionists arrested during the builders’ strike a year earlier.

He served 18 months but his ­conviction was overturned last year.

Ricky also pledged to support the Mirror’s Warm Hearts Christmas Appeal. It was launched to ensure no one is left out in the cold this winter.

The triple lock started in 2010 to make pensions rise by average earnings, prices, or 2.5%, whichever is highest.

Mr Sunak warned he could ditch the scheme after he became PM last month, which would leave millions of elderly people £472 a year worse off.

But he has hinted he would keep it. Mr Sunak said: “I understand the ­particular challenge of pensioners. I care very much about pensioners.”