CHANGES to state pensions could affect older couples in Inverclyde to the tune of £7,000 per year.

Ronnie Cowan MP and Stuart McMillan MSP have slammed the moves and they are also unhappy that the UK Government changes were unveiled on the eve of Theresa May’s Brexit deal defeat.

Currently, couples can claim Pension Credit, an income-related benefit meant to top up the state pension, as long as one partner is of pension age.

Universal Credit will reverse this - meaning that a mixed-age couple will be defined by the working-age person, not the pensioner.

Mr McMillan said: “It’s concerning that the UK Government tried to quietly bury the news that pensioners with younger partners are set to lose out on hundreds of pounds each month.

“People on low incomes and receiving pension credit should not be forced to pay the price for the Tories’ welfare cuts and chaotic Universal Credit.”

MP Mr Cowan says people were 'let down' by the manner in which the news was released.

He said: “Amid the chaos and distraction of Brexit, those who may be affected by this change in Inverclyde deserve to know about it and have been let down by UK Government attempts to ‘sneak out’ the news at 7.20pm on the night of the Brexit vote – when attentions were directed elsewhere.

“Serious concerns over the UK Government’s welfare policies have continued to be raised at Westminster by myself and SNP colleagues and I will be meeting with DWP ministers in February to discuss welfare and ask that they reverse this appalling cut which will hit those on the lowest incomes.”

Age UK believe the new measures could leave 'the poorest pensioners paying a hefty price for having a younger partner'.