Shona Robison spoke out after the UK Chancellor last week announced nearly £5 billion in benefit cuts by the end of the decade.
Rachel Reeves’ decision to slash welfare spending risks “serious social and economic damage”, the SNP Finance Secretary has warned.
Shona Robison spoke out after the UK Chancellor last week announced nearly £5 billion in benefit cuts by the end of the decade to restore a narrow buffer of fiscal headroom.
The controversial changes will hit three million families across the UK on incapacity benefits and see personal independence payments (Pip) be lower for 800,000 claimants.
The Scottish Parliament holds substantial powers over the welfare system and administers several benefits via Social Security Scotland – meaning changes made by Westminster to benefit payments will impact the devolved budget.
SNP ministers have so far repeatedly called for the Labour Government to “change course” – a plea likely to be ignored.
“The spring statement was an opportunity for the UK Government to reject the mistakes of the past and to commit to investment in public services,” Robison said.
Keir Starmer says all options remain on table as UK set to be hit by Donald Trump tariffs SNP Government told to ‘think the unthinkable’ to finally end ‘brutal housing emergency’
“But the Chancellor made the wrong choices, which will short-change public services and deliver austerity, seeking to balance the books on the backs of disabled people.
“The alarming impact assessments published by the UK Government on its own welfare policies show in black and white the number of people who will lose out as a direct result of these changes.
“We know that 250,000 people – 50,000 of whom are children – will be pushed into relative poverty as a result of the measures announced by the Chancellor.
“These cuts will have a devastating impact on Scotland’s budget, which will be compounded by the Treasury’s refusal to fully fund the additional cost of employers’ national insurance contributions.
“The UK Government’s decisions risk serious social and economic damage – and we will continue to press them to change course.”
Ian Murray, the Scottish Secretary, last week suggested benefit cuts will have “zero” impact on the Scottish Government’s budget.
He said: “The Spring Statement also delivered an extra £28 million for the Scottish Government.
“That is on top of their £4.9 billion extra from the budget, creating a record £47.7 billion settlement for 25/26, announced at the Autumn Budget.
“This is the biggest budget settlement in the history of devolution and an end to austerity. The Scottish Government must now use that wisely – to improve Scotland’s failing public services.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here
