State pension outrage: SNP’s Blackford claims UK will pay for Scots under independence

The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the commitment to pay out to pensioners “rests with the UK Government” – even after Scottish independence. Mr Blackford confirmed the Scottish Government will have no commitment to existing Scottish pensioners but rather take responsibility for new pensioners in a post-independent Scotland.

When asked what would happen to state pensions if Scotland left the UK during an interview with Scotland’s Choice podcast, he told host and SNP MP Drew Hendry: “absolutely nothing”.

Speaking in December 2021 said: “Those that have contributed well within being part of the UK have an entitlement for a pension indeed that was made clear by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury at the time of the independence referendum in 2014.

“That commitment to continue to pay pensions rests with the UK Government.

“That’s no different to a UK citizen who chooses for example to live in, Canada, Spain or France, or anywhere else.

“That commitment to receive your pension remains in place. That’s an obligation of the UK Government.”

SNP Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said she agreed with Mr Blackford.

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“Any pension entitlement accrued in Scotland after independence would also form part of that Scottish State Pension.

“On reaching the State Pension Age, their Scottish State Pension would be paid by the Scottish Government.”

It added: “The only difference will be that, from independence, pension entitlement accrued from working in Scotland will b to the Scottish State Pension, rather than the UK State Pension.

Twitter users reacted with fury at Mr Blackford’s comments.

Sam Taylor posted: “It’s easy to become inured to SNP lies, but this is genuinely extraordinary.

“@Ianblackford_MP is also lying (obviously) when he says that this was confirmed by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2014.”

Another said: “So basically UK will not pay pensions to anyone in an Indy Scotland, why should they, that means we are well and truly f*”

Karl Clarke said: “The UK will have absolutely no liabilities to a sovereign country, which is what you’ll be after indy.”

A Twitter user WhyohWhy said: “This is a complete lie. Those relying solely on a state pension will be most affected yet Blackford will take his gold-plated MP pension from the UK – he is a disgrace.”

Another Leo Jones added: “Over 70 nations have become independent of the UK over time.

“Not one that I am aware of thought that the UK would continue to pay pensions to its residents? That was the whole point of independence.”