STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

SCOTLAND should have a Minister for Ageing according to an organisation for Scotland’ older population.

The Scottish Seniors Alliance held a hustings where Glasgow candidates were quizzed on a range of policies affecting older people.

Questions on pensions, council tax, new powers for Holyrood, health and social care integration and representation for senior citizens were put to representatives of seven parties.

They were asked if they back calls for a government minister to represent older people’s concerns in the Scottish Government.

Labour candidate for Anniesland Bill Butler baked the idea. He said: “Yes, a minister for ageing or seniors. If I elected I would support it yes.”

SNP candidate for Kelvin, Sandra White, eventually agreed once pressed by the audience. She initially said she would like a Commissioner for older people.

She said: “We need a consultative forum. I have always said we should have a commissioner.”

When asked “what a about a minister?” She added: “We need to have a minister or a cabinet secretary to look at older people’s issues.”

She then went further adding: “If I’m elected I would gladly take that role.”

The Lib Dem candidate Carole Ford, standing in Kelvin said she did not favour an appointment.

She said: “I don’t want people to be regarded as a separate part of society.”

Patrick Harvie Green candidate in Kelvin was also sceptical. He said I’m interested in a consultative forum. The danger is making it one person’s job is others think it is being dealt with.”

On council tax, Tommy Sheridan, Solidarity candidate said reform was long overdue.

He said: “I want to tax pensioners less and tax millionaires more.”

He said his proposal when he was an MSP to introduce a local income tax was rejected by Labour and the SNP as We can’t tax the wealthy more they’ll leave the country.

“Well, if they want to leave let’s get their passports ready.”

John Ferguson, Ukip candidate, said single older people didn’t get a fair deal with council tax.

He said: “A single pensioner doesn’t use the same services as a family of four or five.”

He said they don’t fill their bins as often.

Labour and the SNP fell out over council tax cuts. Mr Butler said services for older people in the city were being cut because they Scottish Government cut the budget by 4.5%, while Ms White said it was a 1% cut.

Council cuts were raised again as a fear over the effective implementation of the integration of health and social care.

Mr Sheridan said it looks great on paper adding: “With £130m of cuts how can we fund it.”

The Women’s Equality Party candidate, Anne Beetham, raised concerns over many women losing out on pensions under UK government changes.

She said: “Women were not given enough time to cope with the increase in pension age.”

The Conservatives did not sent a candidate or representative to the hustings.