Mike Weir MP

"Today's report holes mean-testing below the water line and strengthens the case for a Citizen's Pension, a case which the SNP has advocated for some time.

"Our older people deserve to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect. That should be happening now and not decades down the line and should be paid for by reform of the regressive tax relief system.

"It is vital now that Gordon Brown's ego is not allowed to stand in the way of an immediate end to the injustice of means-testing.

"We also note that the report proposes an increase in the pension age to 68. Given that Scotland has lower life expectancy than other parts of the UK, any proposal to increase pension age would be anti-Scottish and anti-poor.

"We must ensure that Scots and those living in poverty are not disadvantaged because of the failures of successive Westminster and Holyrood governments to tackle poverty and improve health in Scotland.

"Furthermore, with reform of tax relief, an increase in the pension age is not necessary to fund decent pensions.

"The priority now is to move quickly to a Citizen's Pension that will deliver dignity and fairness for all pensioners and a secure foundation on which people can save for the future."

ENDS.