With this in mind, the announcement by the Scottish
Government that pensions would not only be protected but could increase was
warmly welcomed by the SNP Group on the Comhairle.
A consistent question on the doorsteps when campaigning for
a YES vote for the independence referendum throughout the islands has been the
future of pensions so the news of the security of the pension in an Independent
Scotland gives a sense of relief and security to all.
It has been shown in a recent survey by Which? magazine that
the UK has none of the lowest state pensions in Europe:
Country Pension
per year
Germany 26,366
Sweden 25,000
Ireland 10,413
UK 5,500
“I really welcome the news that pensions would be protected
under an Independent Scotland “said SNP Councillor for Stornoway North, Gordon
Murray.
“An Independent Scotland, with its clear aims of social
justice could look at increasing the state pension. We fall behind many
European countries due to Westminster’s policies and their constant attack on
the welfare state.”
"A YES vote is the only way we can protect our pension and
ultimately our pensioners.”
