Rachael Hamilton MSP and John Lamont MP have both put on record that pensioners are better off when Scotland is part of the UK.
They expressed their concern at recent claims by senior SNP figures that pensions would continue to be paid by the UK Government, should Scotland separate from the UK.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader in the House of Commons, last week argued that the “commitment to continue to pay pensions rests with the UK government” if Scotland voted ‘yes’ because people would have paid national insurance.
Yet Nicola Sturgeon said: “It is for a Scottish government to be responsible for the payment of pensions but the historic liabilities and assets around pensions, as around other things, will be a matter of negotiation at the point of independence.”
Both Mrs Hamilton and Mr Lamont have criticised the SNP over their conflicting remarks, and have reiterated that being part of the UK means Scots’ pensions are protected.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
"Recently senior SNP figures, including the Finance Secretary, appear to be suggesting pension rights will be unaffected in an independent Scotland, and it is absolutely ridiculous.
“Later the First Minister admitted an independent Scotland would have to pay into its own pension pot.
“The SNP are all over the shop when it comes to understanding pensions.
“We know that pensioners are better off when Scotland is part of the UK.
"It is clear that the SNP are all too happy to spread misinformation as they prepare to turbo charge their plans for another divisive referendum."
John Lamont MP said:
“The SNP seem prepared to gamble with people’s pension entitlements as part of their independence bid.
“Hard working Scots need to have the peace of mind of knowing where their pension is coming from and the security that it will be delivered.
"Pedalling misinformation about anything is irresponsible. Doing so with something as important as our state pensions is indefensible.
"The confusion around their plans for pensions in an independent Scotland shows what a disaster independence would be.
“Amongst all this uncertainty, it remains true that pensioners futures are guaranteed to be safest with Scotland as part of the United Kingdom.”
