The SNP has warned that Labour will impose cruel Westminster Department of Work and Pensions policies on Scotland.
Shadow Social Justice spokesperson Paul O’Kane told Labour conference that his party would be open to cutting any of the support payments made by Social Security Scotland – except for the Scottish Child Payment.
This would mean that a Labour government in Scotland would be open to cutting:
- Pensioners winter heating support payments – which the SNP Government has just restored after Labour cruelly cut it in Westminster.
- Mitigation of the two child benefit cap – The SNP will mitigate this cruel cap on benefits, lifting 15,000 more children out of poverty.
- Both adult and child disability payments – supporting those with disabilities and long term health conditions.
- Carer support payments – providing extra support to those who help undertake caring responsibilities.
Commenting, SNP MSP David Torrance said:
“The Labour Party has to come clean to the people of Scotland – which social security support payments exactly do they want to cut?
“Scotland’s social security system invests in our people – helping pensioners with their heating bills, lifting children out of poverty, supporting those living with disabilities or health conditions, and giving a helping hand to our invaluable carers.
“Labour in Westminster have already done enough damage by cutting pensioners winter heating payments and maintaining the cruel two child benefit cap – but now it is apparent that Labour MSPs will impose those cruel DWP policies on Scotland.
“It is clear that in Scotland these support payments are only safe with an SNP Government.”
