Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell is concerned that those behind the Yes Campaign for independence are not taking the issue of pensions seriously. The local MP is worried that the debate has departed from the facts and is confusing his constituents who fear the instability and lack of financial security any transition may bring.
Mr Mundell has spoken out after Alex Salmond denied that EU laws would have to be changed to pay for the pensions of millions of people in Scotland under separation.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants for Scotland published a report last week posing twelve questions about the SNP’s pension plans.
They expressed concern that operating cross-border schemes between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK would violate EU pension law.
This view was backed up in a TV interview by Finance Secretary John Swinney, who agreed the EU would have to agree to any exemption to allow a separate Scotland to set up its own pension system.
The Scottish Conservatives challenged the First Minister to reveal how many of the 27 member countries he had spoken to about the issue.
But, Alex Salmond refused to say what, if any, talks he has had about pensions and instead asserted that no Euro “opt-out” was required if Scotland broke away from the rest of the UK.
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell said: “Once again, just like on the currency issue, Alex Salmond has been caught out making it up as he goes along. Rather than giving the concrete answers people across my constituency need, all we get is false promises and unsupported answers.
“Leading accountants and even his own Finance Secretary both agree an independent Scotland would need an exemption from the EU to set up a separate pension system. Yet, confusingly this view was contradicted by the First Minister who claimed no such opt-out would be required.
“Pensions are a really important issue to many people across Scotland and those who have worked hard all their life and supported our country deserve security and certainty ahead of independence.
“Clearly people living locally deserve more information and all the facts before they can be expected to make a decision and I will continue to do everything I can to get them those answers.”