A CANDIDATE to succeed Angus Robertson as depute leader of the SNP has called for a “fairer” pensions policy to be at the heart of a new case for Scottish independence.
Chris McEleny, who is the SNP group leader on Inverclyde Council, noted that current UK pension policy discriminates against people in Scotland where there is a lower life expectancy than in England. It means the average Scot receives his or her pension for fewer years than south of the Border.
According to the Office for National Statistics in 2014, the average life expectancy for men in Scotland was 76.6 years, compared to 79.2 for men in England. Similarly, female life expectancy was 79.2 in Scotland compared to 82.7 in England.
McEleny said Scots immigration policy would help boost the number of workers, generating revenue for a fairer Scottish pensions system. “It is clear Scotland needs a tailored approach to migration, one that is made in Scotland and is accountable to the people who live here,” he said in an article in today’s National. “A plan that will help us sustain a population that can protect public services and one that works for the future needs of our pensioner population.
“A Scottish Government with the levers to set pension policy and the control over employment legislation to make big business pay a fair share towards a final salary pension for workers will create a more prosperous Scotland for us all.
“By providing workers the financial security to retire at a fairer age, we can increase productivity, grow our economy and create much- needed jobs for Scotland’s young people. Creating a fairer Scotland is the driving force of why many of us believe in an independent Scotland. A better pension offer should be at the heart of that case, to improve the lives of our current generation of pensioners and the generations to come.”
McEleny is one of four candidates vying to succeed Robertson, who stood down last month after losing his Moray seat at last year’s General Election.
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