Alex Salmond used a tour of Ayrshire last night to unveil his ALBA party's 'key pledges for pensioners'.
The former First Minister stopped off at Ayr Town Hall and Kilmarnock Cross to campaign with party activists ahead of next week's council elections.
Whilst in Ayr, Mr Salmond spoke at the latest “Wee ALBA Book” roadshow event.
He said: "Pensioners across Scotland, and especially here in South Ayrshire with one of the highest proportion of aged population across the country, are facing the brunt of the cost of living crisis.
"They are facing a massive hike in their fuel bills forcing many to choose whether to heat their homes or put food on the table.
"ALBA is proposing three ways in which it is possible to put money into the pockets of pensioners now and to help offset the rising cost of fuel, food and transport.
"ALBA is proposing a doubling of the winter fuel payment, currently worth £100 to £300 for one million eligible pensioners; a 25 per cent reduction in the council tax for those in receipt of council tax reduction; and is calling on the Chancellor to cut fuel bills by a third to be paid for by a windfall tax on the excess profits of the energy giants.
“These are the credible and costed pledges, which if implemented, will make a real difference to the lives of our most senior citizens.
"A vote for ALBA will elect councillors who will demand action now to support pensioners through the cost of living crisis.
“With no party likely to have an overall majority in East Ayrshire or South Ayrshire councils after May 5, it is crucial that ALBA councillors are elected who can be strong voices for their communities and push for the measures set out in ALBA’s plan to tackle pensioner poverty.”
Mr Salmond was joined in Ayr by the party's South Ayrshire Council candidates Denise Sommerville (Ayr North), John Caddis (Prestwick), Geoff Bush (Kyle) and Eileen Spence (Girvan and South Carrick).
Denise said: “I was delighted to see so many people turn up tonight to hear our vision for the road to independence.
"People rightly want answers to the questions they have about pensions, currency and borders.
"The ‘Wee ALBA Book’ provides these as well as explaining how Scotland will be a successful country trading and working with the rest of the UK and Europe after independence.
"Along with events such as tonight’s Q&A with Alex Salmond the ‘Wee ALBA Book’ can get people discussing and debating Scotland’s future."
Mr Salmond was also with candidates in Kilmarnock and joined Wendy MacDonald, Stewart McLintock, and Guy Njali Bola in pushing their case for election.
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