NICOLA Sturgeon has described the Tory Government’s attack on state pensions as “a national scandal” and warned that the Tories would use an election victory to betray pensioners yet again.
Millions of women born in the 1950s have been denied their rightful state pensions after bearing the brunt of hurriedly-introduced changes – an issue which the WASPI group has been campaigning vociferously against.
With a General Election now called for June 8, both Theresa May and Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green have refused to say if they are set to ditch the triple lock, which ensures the state pension rises in line with average earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent – whichever is the highest.
A report by Age Scotland, highlighted in The National this week, revealed that over 200,000 pensioners in Scotland are struggling financially, and showed a rise in pensioner poverty across the UK.
The First Minister pointed to the SNP’s record for pensioners in government, including protecting and investing in free personal and nursing care for the elderly, protecting winter fuel payments and working with Age Scotland to increase the uptake of financial support available to older people.
Sturgeon said: “The treatment of pensioners by this Tory Government has been nothing short of a national scandal. Millions of women have been denied their rightful state pension – the WASPI campaign has worked tirelessly to highlight their plight, but Theresa May’s Government has brushed aside their concerns.
“And now – in this election – it appears that the Tories are hoping to quietly ditch their commitment to the triple lock. The triple lock was supported by all parties precisely because it was crucial in tackling the low incomes that are a reality in too many pensioner households.
“With pensioner poverty on the rise across the UK, any more Tory attacks on pensions are the last thing we need.
“The Tories found the money to cut taxes for the rich in their Budget, but seem unwilling to find the money to give state pensioners a decent income.
“A vote for the SNP in this election is a vote to stand up for older people across Scotland, for fair pensions, and to stop a Tory betrayal in its tracks.”
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