Over-50s could deliver pizza. They could try their hand at Uber driving. Or they could put in the occasional shift at the Amazon warehouse. Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, won’t have done his political career any favours this week with his suggestion that retired people who are struggling to make ends meet could earn extra cash in the gig economy. But whether voters in the leafy shires like it or not, Stride is spot on: many pensioners can, and should, work part time and they can’t be too fussy about what jobs are available.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is probably already wondering how quickly he can fire Stride, or at least demote him to a couple of days a week making coffee at Pret. On a visit to Deliveroo’s headquarters in London yesterday, Stride called on companies to take on more of the over-50s, at the same time as reminding more senior members of the workforce that they might have to consider a wider range of jobs if they want to earn some extra money. He said:

The Conservative party has increasingly turned itself into the provisional wing of the Pensioner’s Union

‘There are loads of great opportunities out there for people and it’s of course good for people to consider options they might not have otherwise thought of.’

This view is unlikely to be very popular among those older folk who are enjoying putting their feet up, but Stride is on to something. Since the pandemic, there has been a huge rise in the number of people taking early retirement. And yet, many of them are finding their pensions don’t stretch as far they thought they would, especially with prices rising rapidly.

Of the 50-70 year olds who left work in 2020-21, 48 per cent are now living in relative poverty. Sure, they might like to go back to their law firm, or engineering consultancy, for ten hours a week. But if that is not available, and it often isn’t, then a few hours riding a bike for Deliveroo is better than nothing. In reality, the gig economy is perfect for people who want to work a few extra hours to supplement their pension. It’s also a great way of keeping fit and being sociable.

Stride’s comments aren’t really aimed at older pensioners, but those over the age of 50 who are out of work and would benefit from going back to work. The 5.3 million or so Brits who are on out-of-work benefits should also listen up.

The Conservative party has increasingly turned itself into the provisional wing of the Pensioner’s Union in recent years. With the ridiculously expensive triple lock on pensions, fanatical opposition at a local level to building anything that might upset home owners, and taxes piled onto the young, the Tories have made it clear that appeasing older voters is their number one priority. But Stride’s comments might help redress this balance.

At some point, the party will have to abandon its policy of targeting older voters and appeal to the rest of the country. With the next election almost certainly already lost it might as well make the break now – even if, in an echo of Norman Tebbit in the 1980s, it involves telling the retired to get on their bikes.