Readers’ questions answered

WHAT would happen in the scenario of the Conservatives winning the next Westminster election with no representation from Scotland in the Government of the UK if there is a No vote? – James Higgins

Legally and constitutionally nothing, though it would be hugely embarrassing and undoubtedly lead to increased clamour for more devolution.

The Tories have been without any Scottish MPs before.

In 1997 they were wiped out north of the border. Then they were in opposition and they got round the problem by having a shadow minister for constitutional affairs rather than a separate shadow Scottish Secretary.

In the scenario outlined they might be inclined to do something similar or another option would be to appoint a Scottish Lord to be the Secretary of State.

However the Scottish Tories are widely seen as having had a very good referendum campaign and analysts have predicted they could scoop as many as four Scottish seats next May. AM I still going to receive the full amount of retirement pension and will I still receive pension credit? – Ella Nelson

The SNP’s White Paper says that the basic state pension will continue to be paid in full and on time and that the “triple lock” system of increases will continue meaning it will go up by whichever is highest – average earnings, inflation or 2.5%.

And they say pension credit will increase in the same way.

However, the No camp have questioned how these guarantees will be paid for, especially as the Scottish population is ageing faster than the rest of the UK.

The White Paper admits Scotland would need to “increase the working- age population as a share of overall population”, something most likely achieved through increased immigration.

Last week former Prime Minister Gordon Brown claimed Scottish pensioners are £ 500 better off in the UK because Scotland receives around £ 500 million more than its population share of pension and pensioner benefit payouts from Westminster.