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Scottish independence: Brown says Scotland's pensions protected by UK Scottish independence: Brown says Scotland's pensions protected by UK
(about 1 hour later)
Scottish pensioners are "better protected" while Scotland shares "risks and resources" with the rest of the UK, according to Gordon Brown.Scottish pensioners are "better protected" while Scotland shares "risks and resources" with the rest of the UK, according to Gordon Brown.
In a speech for Better Together, which opposes Scottish independence, he said pensioner numbers in Scotland were rising faster than the UK average.In a speech for Better Together, which opposes Scottish independence, he said pensioner numbers in Scotland were rising faster than the UK average.
He said Scots have paid UK National Insurance "all our lives" and it is "right" that the UK bears the costs. Dr Eilidh Whiteford, the SNP's pensions spokeswoman, said the former prime minister's claims were "ludicrous".
The SNP said pensions were "more affordable" in Scotland than UK-wide. She said pensions would be more affordable for an independent Scotland.
Mr Brown said Scots have paid UK National Insurance "all our lives" and it is "right" that the UK bears the costs.
'Rising cost''Rising cost'
Speaking at Glasgow University, the former prime minister said the independence debate should not be about whether voters are "for Scotland or for the union". Speaking at Glasgow University, he said the independence debate should not be about whether voters are "for Scotland or for the union".
"In fact the real debate is between two Scottish visions of Scotland's future," he said."In fact the real debate is between two Scottish visions of Scotland's future," he said.
"The nationalist one based on the breaking of all political links with the UK, and our vision based on a strong Scottish Parliament backed up by a system of pooling and sharing risks and resources across the UK."The nationalist one based on the breaking of all political links with the UK, and our vision based on a strong Scottish Parliament backed up by a system of pooling and sharing risks and resources across the UK.
"The whole point of sharing risks and resources across the UK is that it is right and proper that the British welfare state bears the rising cost of Scottish pensions as the number of old people will rise from one million to 1.3 million.""The whole point of sharing risks and resources across the UK is that it is right and proper that the British welfare state bears the rising cost of Scottish pensions as the number of old people will rise from one million to 1.3 million."
Mr Brown said previously unpublished Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures and estimates show:Mr Brown said previously unpublished Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures and estimates show:
Mr Brown said it was "fairer and better" for the UK's "faster-rising" working-age population to cover the cost of the rising number of elderly people in Scotland.Mr Brown said it was "fairer and better" for the UK's "faster-rising" working-age population to cover the cost of the rising number of elderly people in Scotland.
"We have contributed in UK National Insurance all our lives to spread the risks of poverty in retirement," he said."We have contributed in UK National Insurance all our lives to spread the risks of poverty in retirement," he said.
"The SNP government has said the case for independence should be judged on whether Scotland would benefit financially or not."The SNP government has said the case for independence should be judged on whether Scotland would benefit financially or not.
"It is clear that pensioners are better protected when the risks are spread across the UK and it is also clear that in the year the SNP want independence the Scots pension bill alone is three times the income from oil revenues.""It is clear that pensioners are better protected when the risks are spread across the UK and it is also clear that in the year the SNP want independence the Scots pension bill alone is three times the income from oil revenues."
'Backwards logic' 'Pensions unaffected'
The SNP's Eilidh Whiteford said Mr Brown was "simply repeating the same economically illiterate claims the Tories and Lib Dems made over a year ago". Dr Whiteford, who speaks on work and pensions issues for the SNP at Westminster, said: "The claims Gordon Brown is making on pensions are simply ludicrous.
"On this backwards logic the UK pensions bill is 25 times the value of its oil and gas - making it impossible for the UK to afford to pay for pensions," she said. "The reality is that pensions are more affordable in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, a view supported by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, who have also made clear that the demographic challenge is no more significant for Scotland than it is to the rest of the UK.
"The reality is that pensions are more affordable in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, a view supported by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, who have also made clear that the demographic challenge is no more important to Scotland than it is to the rest of the UK." "We also know that insurance providers, including HSBC and the Department of Work and Pensions itself, are clear that pensions would be unaffected following a Yes vote."
Dr Whiteford questioned why Mr Brown cited the NHS as a positive example of being in partnership with the rest of the UK, while the Conservatives are "destroying its founding values".
She added: "With independence we will be able to ensure a fair deal for pensioners, with a triple lock on the state pension to keep pace with the cost of living, a review of the pension age to ensure it is right for Scotland's pensioners and a fair approach to public sector pensions."
On 18 September, Scotland's voters will take part in a referendum on the question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"On 18 September, Scotland's voters will take part in a referendum on the question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"