Labour has attacked the Scottish Government over inaction on the police pensions crisis, claiming that the Treasury is offering to help out.

Labour has attacked the Scottish Government over inaction on the police pensions crisis, claiming that the Treasury is offering to help out.

But ministers claim it is the failure of the Treasury to give Scotland its Barnett share of police and fire service pension reforms south of the border that is behind the current impasse.

At issue is the need to find money to cover the right of retiring emergency service workers in Scotland to take a lump sum in lieu of pension, equating to £50m for police over the next three years and £16m for the fire service.

Shadow Justice Minister Pauline McNeill accused Holyrood ministers of "shirking their responsibilities" by refusing to remove pension obligations from operational budgets as has been done in the south and pointed out that the Scottish Police Federation was "extremely disappointed" about the situation.

"John Swinney chose to remove ring-fenced funding from police pensions, which put pressure on operational budgets and recruitment.

"Now he is refusing to give Scottish officers a fair pension deal. The SNP should pay up immediately," she said.

She cited Treasury Economic Secretary Angela Eagle, who said: "Treasury ministers have already made clear that we would be pleased to consider the introduction of similar arrangements in Scotland and officials are happy to work towards such arrangements with their counterparts in the Scottish Executive.

"However, retired Scottish police officers and firefighters should not have to wait on the SNP to stop playing political games. The Scottish Government has a duty to meet its existing obligations to these pensioners now."

But Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "We recognise the potential advantages of managing police and fire pension payments outwith operational budgets, as happened south of the border in 2006 but not in Scotland under the previous administration."

He and the Finance Secretary had discussed this issue with council leaders, chief constables and police board conveners' representatives on 31 July and officials were currently "developing options for reforming the management of police and fire pensions".

He added: "I share Ms McNeill's view that the Treasury should provide additional funding for police pensions in Scotland - as they have already done for the police in England and Wales.

"I hope she will now back our efforts to ensure that Scotland's police and fire personnel get a fair deal from Westminster.

"This is a clear cut case of spending rising in England and Wales in a devolved area due to a decision taken by the UK government, and thus Scotland should receive its fair share of extra funding.

"This would be a clear solution to the problem, which is why we are continuing to discuss the issue with the Treasury."