Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Maree Todd slams Centre for Social Justice recommendations for increase in pension age to 75; the think-tank is chaired by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ally, Iain Duncan Smith

THERE would be "dire and disproportionate consequences" for Highland residents if the pension age was raised to 75, an angry MSP has warned.

Maree Todd slammed the Conservative-led Westminster government's "cruel and callous" treatment of the pensioners after a major think tank recommended the retirement age be raised to 75 over the next 16 years.

The proposal was floated in a report by the Centre for Social Justice, which is chaired by Iain Duncan Smith – the MP who spearheaded the controversial universal credit benefits system and is a close ally of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Ms Todd, a Highlands and Islands list MSP for the SNP, warned that any further increases in the state pension age could have a hugely disproportionate impact on Scotland due to its unique demographic needs.

And she urged the UK government "step back" from the proposals.

She also called on the UK government to heed warnings raised in a new report that found the proportion of elderly people living in severe poverty in the UK is five times what it was in 1986 - the largest increase among western European countries.

"The Tory government’s approach to the UK’s elderly population and state pension policy has been cruel and callous," she said.

“From the burning injustices facing the WASPI women who have been denied the right to their state pension, to the stripping away of free TV licences for the over 75s, this government’s attitude towards its older people is shameful.

“Instead of taking on board policies written up by one of the architects of Tory austerity, the new Prime Minister must take action to address the dire levels of pensioner poverty in the UK.

"The Tory government must take a step back and tackle these injustices - rather than ramping up the threats."

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