Tánaiste suggests Budget will increase State pension

Even with many of the electricity suppliers now dropping their prices after record hikes, many older people will be living in fuel poverty this winter. File photo: Kirsty O'Connor/PA

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said the State pension will increase in next month’s Budget but has refused to say by how much.

The Government has faced numerous calls to provide more help to pensioners struggling to deal with high energy bills and grocery costs. Even with many of the electricity suppliers now dropping their prices after record hikes, many older people will be living in fuel poverty this winter.