UK state pensions are the least generous in North West Europe in comparison to the average wage. 

It has become clear that small, independent countries largely outperform the UK and offer greater security to their citizens.

The UK has the worst state pension in the developed world (defined as full OECD membership).  In 2018, it was only worth 28.4% of average income at retirement (based on the net replacement rate). The EU average percentage is more than double that of the UK pension.

State pensions are the lowest in OECD countries.

The UK state pension is not big enough to support the bare minimum standard of living for a single person, according to a new report. And it warns that a quarter of employees are not on track to be able to afford it.

OECD figures in 2018 showed the UK paid out just 29% of average earnings on pensions. This is the lowest of any developed country. Top of the table were the Netherlands, which pays 100.6% of average earnings, Portugal at 94% and Italy at 93.2%. Blair McDougall - formerly of Better Together - has suggested the UK cannot afford to pay a pension capable of supporting the most basis standard of living for a single person. In fact, he thinks that even the suggestion that the UK can afford it is laughable.

This article looks at three myths about Scottish independence:

Myth 4: Business leaders are worried about the effects of independence.

Myth 5: A new Scottish currency would be difficult to establish

Myth 6: independence would threaten pensions

The most likely overall outcome for taxation is that rUK would treat Scottish individuals and companies in the same way as it treats any other country's individuals and companies (and vice versa).  Scotland will need to establish its own financial regulator and resolution authority and make arrangements for continuing the licences and supervision of Scottish firms.  Arrangements for pension investments and payments will be required.

The decision on Scottish independence is a decision for the people of Scotland.  When making that decision it should be clear which currency an independent Scotland would use. If the people of Scotland vote for an independent Scotland with its own currency, that democratic mandate should be respected.

Far from putting pensions at risk, independence gives us the chance to significantly increase the state pension. Even If we only match the European average that would double the current state pension. The UK could easily afford to do so but chooses not to, to help their friends in the City financial sector.

The UK state pension is the worst in the developed world in terms of its value verses average wages. It ranks bottom in a list of countries compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), paying out just 29% of the average wage.

The economic situation has been made even worse by the unfolding disaster that is Brexit. Scotland voted to remain in the EU, because it was manifestly in our best interests to do so. But our votes were ignored, along with our opinions, our economic drivers and our arguments for a softer Brexit which would have allowed us to stay in the single market.

• Research means to become independent which will be legally recognized other than through a Westminster sanctioned referendum

• Continue to develop a written constitution.

• Hold a broad survey among Scots to determine what kind of country they would like to see

An analsys of the d devolution of social security powers to the Scottish Parliament in the Scotland Bill.  Whilst the reforms have been represented as giving Scotland “one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.” it is debatable that this is the case. In any federal system, powers lie by default with the states, not with central government. It is open to the states (and sometimes to local governments) to experiment and to innovate. Scotland will not be able to do this.

The introduction of a new currency needs to account for customer deposits and loans and the Sterling pensions guarantee.