Two thirds (66 per cent) of adults in the UK are in favour of keeping the state pension triple lock system in place, with only 14 per cent against, with support seen across all age groups, according to a poll by YouGov.

The survey comes as debate continued over the sustainability of the triple lock system, which promises to raise the state pension annually by whichever is highest out of inflation, average earnings for working people, or 2.5 per cent.

The age group most in favour of retaining the triple lock was the over 65s (70 per cent), but the 18-34 age group was also in support, with 44 per cent in favour compared to 21 per cent against the system.

When further testing the public’s appetite to reform, YouGov asked for recipients’ thoughts on changing the triple lock.

Only around one in four (26 per cent) said they would be in favour of changes to the triple lock, while 37 per cent opposed making changes, and 36 per cent answered 'don’t know'.

Similarly, opinion was split when asked about reducing the triple lock to a double lock, through a variety of scenarios such as a policy tied to earnings or inflation, one connected to earnings or 2.5 per cent, and a version linked to inflation or 2.5 per cent.

Public support for single lock options was significantly lower, with opposition outweighing support in every case.

By contrast, a more generous option – raising the 2.5 per cent floor to 5 per cent – attracted notably stronger backing, with 47 per cent in favour and 25 per cent opposed.

The state pension triple lock has generated much debate in recent months. A recent report by the Intergenerational Foundation said its favoured approach to reform would save taxpayers £19bn a year by 2035/36, while the Tony Blair Institute suggested replacing the state pension altogether and replacing it with a Lifespan Fund.

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