John Swinney: 'I've nothing to explain to parliament' over pension comments

John Swinney has said he has "nothing to explain to parliament" after comments he made during First Minister's Questions last week about the UK Government's decision to end the triple lock on pensions.  

It comes amid allegations that the first minister misled Holyrood when he told MSPs that Scots are going to "lose our pension" under the new plans set out by Andy Burnham.    

Swinney has been called on to "correct the record" and accused of "peddling misinformation" over his reaction to the comments made about the scrapping of the triple lock.

Speaking to PA, Swinney said: "I've got nothing to explain to parliament about this issue.  

"Scottish pensioners were led to believe that there was a triple lock going to be in place, and that gave them legitimate expectations about the level of their pension. They are going to lose out on that because Andy Burnham is removing the triple lock.  

"That is the hard reality that pensioners in Scotland are having to face up to, having been promised in 2014 that their pensions were safe. Their pensions have just been undermined by the Labour government."  

The prime minister's plans for the UK state pension will see it rise by either the rate of inflation or 2.5 per cent annually from 2030, and the resultant savings will be used to pay for free personal care in England.  

The savings could also mean billions more for the Scottish Government via Barnett consequentials.  

However, Swinney has claimed that Scottish pensions will see a £4bn hit by 2050 as a result of the removal of the triple lock.  

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, who yesterday wrote to Swinney asking him to correct the record, said the comments were "inaccurate and irresponsible" and are “inevitably causing concern to Scottish pensioners".  

Findlay said: "The ministerial code, which your government updated this week, states that ministers must give 'accurate and truthful information to the parliament, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity'.  

"The code further states that ministers who 'knowingly mislead the parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the first minister'.

"It is not clear whether your comment was misinformation or disinformation, which is to deliberately make comments that are known to be false. I would therefore ask you to explain.  

"Either way, I would expect you to correct the record as a matter of urgency."

Also commenting on the first minister's remarks, Scottish Labour parliamentary business spokesperson Claire Baker said: "It is disappointing that John Swinney has decided to double down on his false claims about pensions.

"It is completely wrong for the first minister to suggest that people in Scotland could lose their pensions. This just amounts to scaremongering.

"Andy Burnham and Michael Marra have both spoken about the need to do politics differently.

"It is therefore unfortunate that John Swinney is choosing to push falsehoods and misinformation, as the public deserve honesty from politicians.

"On an issue as important as pensions, we should have a grown-up debate, not childish politicking from the SNP which only adds to people's worry about the cost of living.

"If the first minister has respect for the Scottish Parliament, he will reflect on his remarks and take the first opportunity to correct the record."