Scotland’s government has been forced to spend more than £90 million shielding families from Westminster-imposed austerity measures that remain firmly in place under Labour.
The money, which came from the SNP-run Scottish Government, was used to protect households from the worst effects of the Bedroom Tax, the Benefit Cap, and other housing-related hardships.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, nearly 142,000 Discretionary Housing Payments were awarded across the country to prevent rent arrears, evictions, and homelessness.
In what many see as a damning indictment of Labour’s first year in power, none of the key welfare cuts introduced by the Tories have been reversed.
The Bedroom Tax, which penalises tenants for having a so-called spare room, continues to bite, while the Benefit Cap still penalises larger families and those in need of support.
To help households cope, the Scottish Government has had to allocate £74.8 million to cancel out the Bedroom Tax entirely.
Another £7.8 million went to help families affected by the Benefit Cap, and £7.9 million was set aside to cover other housing-related hardship costs.
The money doesn’t come from a magic pot.
It’s money that could have been spent elsewhere, on schools, hospitals, or public transport.
But with Westminster failing to budge, ministers in Holyrood say they’ve had no choice but to act.
Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Maryhill and Springburn, said Labour had proven it was happy to maintain the status quo when it came to austerity.
“One year on from taking power, Labour has changed the faces in Downing Street but kept every cruel policy in place,” he said.
“The SNP Government is forced to spend tens of millions simply to undo the damage inflicted by Westminster.”
He said the SNP would not stand by while families were pushed into poverty by decisions taken in London.
“We will always act to protect the most vulnerable in our communities,” he said.
While some hoped Labour’s election would mark the end of Tory-era cuts, the past year has dashed those expectations.
For many in Scotland, the Bedroom Tax and Benefit Cap are not abstract policies, but daily realities.
They mean less money for food, heat, and rent.
Without the Scottish Government stepping in, thousands more would have slipped into crisis.
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, pressure is mounting on the UK Government to show a new direction.
For now, it’s the Scottish taxpayer picking up the tab for policies many here never voted for.
