Pension plan

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the Waspi campaign on women’s pensions, there can be little doubt that the SNP, and Mhairi Black MP in particular, have made huge political capital out of theissue. Iattendedahustings event before the Scottish election in 2015 when Jeane Freeman, our current minister for social security, waxed lyrical on the iniquitous behaviour of the Westminster government in relation to this, and indeed, all other benefits. This was before she decided the whole area is too difficult for her and postponed taking responsibility for devolved benefits for a further three years.

Thesnphaverepeatedlyhidden behind the fact that state pensions are a reserved benefit and they cannot increase them or change the pension age. But they repeatedly fail to mention the powers they do have, powers which could resolve the problem for the women affected.

Since September 2016 the Scotland Act 2016 clearly gives them the power to top up existing reserved benefits, which includes the state pension. If they chose to do so, they could recompense the women who have lost out once they qualify for a pension. Alternatively, they also have the power to create new benefits and section 26 of the Act specifically allows them “to meet a short term need”. This pension issue is clearly a short term need as it will resolve itself as the pension ages synchronise.

If Ms Freeman still finds this all too difficult, may I suggest she creates a new benefit called Transitional Pension Entitlement, or similar, and pay it on a sliding scale based on individual accrued loss? A simple algorithm based on date of birth would generate the payments. Simple.

On this issue the Waspi women are entitled to tell the SNP government, put up or shut up.

CAROLE FORD Terregles Avenue, Glasgow