Better pensions in independent Scotland

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon promised more jobs and better pensions in an independent Scotland. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Nicola Sturgeon said a generation of Scots had been left on the “scrapheap” during the Thatcher era and called on voters to ensure “this never happens again”.

She was joined by former Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party MSP John Swinburne and Yes Scotland chairman Dennis Canavan to make the case to Scotland’s pensioners in Hamilton yesterday.

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An independent Scotland would lead to the creation of more jobs for young people and open up opportunities that their parents were denied, she said.

It would also give older voters “the retirement they deserve” by ensuring state pensions rise in line with living costs, Ms Sturgeon insisted. She said: “Scotland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but for too many people – including many older people – it doesn’t feel that way. Under Westminster rule, the state pension is the second lowest in the developed world.

“We know that Scots’ pensions are legally guaranteed – and even the UK Government’s pensions minister has confirmed that they will be protected in an independent Scotland.”

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Better pensions in independent Scotland - Sturgeon