What the Isle of Man tells us about the state pension triple lock

It’s a Monday morning in Douglas, Isle of Man – a town with as many care homes as schools.

Outside a café by the sea, four friends in their sixties and seventies enjoy coffee in the sunshine. Paul Henry, Susan Watt and Mike and Lynn Halsall have lived on this island in the Irish Sea, about 90 miles from Liverpool, all their lives.

“One thing’s for sure, the island is still a lovely place with a lot to offer,” said Henry, 72. “Look at this view today. In about 10 minutes you can get to Snaefell, which is the highest point on the island and it is beautiful.”

Douglas feels sleepy. The island has a population of just under 85,000, but not enough young residents