Scottish Seniors Alliance
Meet Minister Shona Robison MSP

The ‘Scottish Seniors Alliance’ (SSA) a fresh new Seniors organisation deeply concerned about the urgent needs of Senior Citizens, arranged for SSA Pensioners representatives from the North, South, East and West of Scotland to meet with the Cabinet Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison MSP at St. Andrew's House Edinburgh the headquarters building of the Scottish Government.

Matters raised with documentation presented included;

• To establish a Pensioners Parliament to be resourced on the same basis as the Youth Parliament already constituted.

• To work with the Scottish Government in addressing Pensioners concerns that are within the remit of Holyrood powers.

• To encourage dialogue between Holyrood and Westminster to address fiscal matters affecting pensioners income in collaboration with the National Pensioners Convention.

• To promote the Scottish Seniors Alliance as the conduit for all pensioners concerns and interests throughout the 32 Scottish Local Authorities.

In addition concerns were expressed regarding the promise of free personal care, means testing, charging for home personal care alarms and the disadvantaged situation of women’s poverty in retirement.

The meeting was useful, with a frank exchange of views lasting over an hour, reference was made by the Minister to the Sutherland Report expected at the end of April.

The National Pensioners Convention Centenary Campaign Publication was presented to the Minister. This attractive 16 page publication tells the story of how the first old age pension was won, the people involved and the way in which the campaign continues today for a decent state pension.

In attendance l to R - Jack Stewart, Perth; George Thomson, Aberdeen; Lou Howson, Dumfries & Galloway; Shona Robison MSP,  George Paterson, Aberdeenshire; Agnes McGroarty, Glasgow; George Henderson, Edinburgh.