DAVID STEWART: Pensions could be hot topic in next General Election suggests Inverness politician

THIS month marks my 42nd anniversary of starting work. I was a fresh-faced, inexperienced social work assistant in the court sector in Edinburgh. (It also marks the date I joined the Labour Party – but that’s another story!)

My inaugural employment was a great starting point for my future social work career and gave me a flying start for the social work qualification a year later.

In a few short weeks, I will reach a significant birthday – the state pension age. That early employment in Edinburgh and 40-plus years of work, means I have earned a reasonable state pension. Not everyone is so lucky and women born in the 1950s who paid the “small stamp” are particularly badly affected.

This week also marks a crucial period for state pensions. Second state pension age review closed its call for evidence on Monday. Currently the age you can access your state pension will increase to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046.

Pension provider AJ Bell reported that around one in six Scots would consider early state pension access at a lower rate if this option was possible. Tom Selby, the head of retirement policy at AJ Bell, said: “If what we have seen in the French presidential debates is anything to go by, a proposed increase in the UK state pension could be a political lightning rod of the next general election.”

All this is happening against a background of a slowdown in life expectancy improvements. Within the Highlands, as you would expect, there are significant variations in life expectancy between communities. So, for example, men who live in disadvantaged estates will tend to have lower life expectancy than women who live in more affluent areas. I predict that in the run up to the next general election, prospective MPs will be well-grilled by the Highland public on this issue. Potential politicians, you have been warned!

n Throughout my political career, I always had a passion about transport, so this week’s headlines caught my eye. Stagecoach “driverless” buses will begin testing on Scottish roads.

The Stagecoach bus will become the first in Britain to take to the roads as an autonomous vehicle. The buses operate by having a comprehensive group of sensors which allow them to run on pre-selected roads. The current trial will operate over the Forth Road Bridge. The project has gained funding from the UK government. What about extending the project to the Highlands?

n Best of luck to Caley Thistle in their play-off fight to get back to the Premiership. It looks like they will have to battle Partick Thistle and then Arbroath. Congratulations also to Ross County in gaining a top six place and possible European football next season. Both teams have brought praise and accolades for their endeavours.

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