Scottish Government position on pensions in an independent Scotland: FOI release

Information requested

On 5/10/2022 Mr Ivan McKee attended a Lang Cat live event as a Scottish Government Minister.

https://twitter.com/langcatlocke/status/1577684949183987716?s=46&t=FyUQtXuk-0za7QChYxvs9A

At this event the Minister agreed that the SNP position was that Scottish Government pensions after independence would be funded by UK taxation.

Can you confirm that this is or is not the Scottish Government position?

Response

Future Scottish governments would be responsible for the pensions system in an independent Scotland. Responsibility for paying for state pensions would rest with the Scottish Government. All accrued state and public service pension rights and entitlements would be honoured and protected, and state and public service pensions would continue to be paid on time and in full. As with a range of other issues, any assets and liabilities relating to pensions will be a matter of negotiation after a vote for independence.

The Scottish Government will publish full proposals for pensions in an independent Scotland in coming months as part of the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series, to help ensure people have the information they need to make an informed choice before a referendum.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.