Tory plans to raise the state pension age to 68 from 2037, seven years earlier than planned, will affect almost 14,000 people in North Ayrshire, a local MP said.

Figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) show that 13,999 men and women born between 6 April 1970 and 5 April 1978 and living in North Ayrshire will now be forced to wait a year longer to get their state pension.

This comes after the UK Government announced it would bring forward an increase in the state pension age, which wasn't due until 2044.

North Ayrshire & Arran MP Patricia Gibson branded it 'truly shameful' that the Conservatives kept it under wraps until after the election, fearing it would lose them votes and seats.

She said: “The further increase in the state pension age could have a hugely disproportionate impact on North Ayrshire, as some communities have lower life expectancy due to historic and ingrained public health challenges.

“A great number of people in their late 30s and 40s will already be planning for their retirement; the fact that they will be forced to wait another year for their state pension is a major blow. The Tories must urgently reconsider this decision."

Richard Baker, policy and communications manager at the charity Age Scotland, added: “In bringing forward a rise in state pension age by seven years, the UK Government is picking the pockets of people in their forties. New authoritative research has suggested that the long-term improvement in life expectancy is stalling. For people affected, their state pension may seem a lifetime away but the fact is that the change announced this week will have a real impact on them later in life."