![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Swinney-19-June-25.png\")
John Swinney has refused to submit to criticism that he is misleading the public over claims that Scots will see their pensions eroded in order to pay for social care in England.<\/p>\n
The First Minister is accused of spreading disinformation over Prime Minister Andy Burnham\u2019s plans to scrap the triple lock, by suggesting it amounts to a raid on Scottish pensions.<\/p>\n
Under Mr Burnham\u2019s proposals state pensions would no longer rise by which of three measures was the highest \u2013 wage growth, inflation of 2.5% \u2013 but would still increase.<\/p>\n
Crucially, any additional spending directed to social care south of the border would automatically lead to an increase in the Scottish government budget, ensuring Scots would not lose out, as Mr Swinney claims.<\/p>\n
At First Minister\u2019s Questions on Thursday Mr Swinney said that pensions were \u201cunder attack from a Westminster Labour government\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWe have been taken out of the European Union and we are now going to lose our pensions. Scotland needs to have independence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking on Sunday, Scottish Conservative leader said he has written to Mr Swinney asking him to correct the record over his \u201cinaccurate comments\u201d about pensions.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohn Swinney told me that Scottish pensioners were going to \u2018lose their pensions\u2019 which is absolute nonsense,\u201d said the Tory leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we challenge the Labour government\u2019s scrapping of the pension triple lock, he resorts to scaremongering.<\/p>\n
\u201cSwinney\u2019s inaccurate and irresponsible comment is inevitably causing concern to Scottish pensioners, and he must now apologise and correct the official record. His failure to do so would be a clear breach of the ministerial code.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s resorting to misinformation, possibly even disinformation, as a distraction because he\u2019s never explained how he would pay pensions in an independent Scotland.\u201d<\/p>\n Today, Mr Swinney insisted he had \u201cnothing to explain to parliament\u201d and stood by his claim that Scottish pensioners would \u201close out in the years to come\u201d.<\/p>\n Scottish Labour parliamentary business spokesperson Claire Baker said: \u201cIt is disappointing that John Swinney has decided to double down on his false claims about pensions.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is completely wrong for the First Minister to suggest that people in Scotland could lose their pensions. This just amounts to scaremongering.<\/p>\n \u201cAndy Burnham and Michael Marra [the Scottish Labour leader] have both spoken about the need to do politics differently.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is therefore unfortunate that John Swinney is choosing to push falsehoods and misinformation as the public deserve honesty from politicians.<\/p>\n \u201cOn an issue as important as pensions, we should have a grown-up debate, not childish politicking from the SNP which only adds to people\u2019s worry about the cost of living.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the First Minister has respect for the Scottish Parliament, he will reflect on his remarks and take the first opportunity to correct the record.\u201d<\/p>\n Daily Business Bulletin<\/strong>:\u00a0Subscribe here for our free morning bulletin of breaking news<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \t <\/div>\n![\"Russell](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russell-Findlay-at-Scottish-Conservative-conf-in-June-2025.png\")