Scotsman.com News - UK - Pensions liability is set to hit £700bn The sensitivity of the pension question was brought home to Holyrood yesterday when Jack McConnell, the First Minister, was questioned on the issue by Colin Fox, the Scottish Socialist leader.

Fox asked McConnell to give yes or no answers to questions on whether the First Minister supported the five-year increase in retirement age and the end to the final salary scheme.

Fox told McConnell: "Each public-sector worker in the country stands to lose at least £20,000, if these changes go through. I’m sure public sector workers across the country will be disgusted by your evasions."