MPs have asked the Government to honour its pledge to restore the link between the State pension and earnings, a measure that was set out in May’s White Paper on pensions.

Ministers did add that the restoration of the link was subject to ‘affordability’, but the Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee said that “such equivocation is unhelpful” and urged ministers to set a firm date for implementation.

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern England, said it supported the restoration of the link and that the change should be made by no later than April 2012 at the latest.

“This is another example of fudge in the pension arena,” said financial adviser Martin Cunningham. “The Government should keep its pension promise but I for one am not holding my breath.”