MSP Claire Baker has called for a better deal for pensioners across the area as it was claimed that poverty amongst that age group in Scotland is at its highest level since the SNP came into power in 2007.

New analysis from Scottish Labour has found that the numbers of pensioners living in poverty, after housing costs, is now at 160,000 in Scotland. This is a 33 per cent increase since 2010.

The Kelty born Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said that these figures showed the impact of Tory austerity on Scottish pensioners and a failure of the SNP Government at Holyrood to protect Scotland’s elderly.

Calling for a better deal for pensioners, Claire Baker claimed that she wants to see action, and that a Labour Government would retain the triple lock on pensions, protect the free bus pass, ensure winter fuel allowances remains universal, invest in local services to deliver better social care, and ensure pensioners get the support they are entitled to, such as Council Tax Reduction and Pension Credit.

Ms Baker said: “These figures prove that the SNP’s approach to tackling poverty in Scotland is not working.

"The Government must see these figures as a wakeup call and explain why this has been allowed to happen under their watch.

“That is why I am calling for a better deal for pensioners across Mid Scotland and Fife, including protecting the free bus pass, retaining the triple lock on pensions and investing in vital local services.

“Poverty has a negative impact on a person’s mental and physical health, their self-esteem, and their ability to enjoy their lives by socialising with their friends and family."

She concluded: “Pensioners in Scotland deserve better than this. They deserve to live out their retirement in dignity, to lead full and flourishing lives.

“Now is the time for radical action to stop pensioner poverty rates rising, and to reverse the impact on pensioners of years of SNP cuts and Tory austerity.”

The Scottish Government has been trying to ensure that pensioners have their bus pass scheme in place and working on other issues affecting senior citizens.