Kenny rules out cut to weekly pensions

A cut to weekly pensions in the upcoming budget has been firmly ruled out by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Concerned at the damage that could be done by claims an across the board €10 a week slash to the payment was in the offing, the Government broke with its usual pre-budget silence to reassure pensioners and head off any backlash.

With budget horse-trading intensifying between the Coalition parties, Labour TDs warned any move against pension rates would be a “political death sentence” for the Government.