Almond Valley SNP MSP Angela Constance has expressed concern over Scottish Labour’s proposed plans for social security spending at Holyrood.
In a recent speech, the party’s leader Anas Sarwar outlined Labour’s intention to reduce social security spending in Scotland if they were in power.
Mr Sarwar warned that “the uncomfortable fact is that we can’t end poverty with welfare alone” – pointing to a need to “create more decent well paid jobs”.
However, Ms Constance said: “Anas Sarwar has begun 2025 in the same way he ended 2024 – by abandoning the values Labour once stood for.
“Labour’s plans to cut vital support like the Scottish Child Payment are deeply concerning. If Mr Sarwar truly believes in these cuts, he should be upfront with the public.
“It’s becoming clear that Scottish Labour’s vision for Social Security Scotland is to turn it into a mirror of the DWP, complete with harsh sanctions and little compassion.
“By contrast, the Scottish Government has proposed a budget that prioritises support for those most in need, offering hope and security to families across West Lothian. It’s now up to opposition MSPs to back that commitment.”
Labour UK Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, has said that under her leadership, “the DWP will shift from being a department for welfare to being a department for work”.
Speaking at an event in Glasgow, Mr Sarwar said: “The SNP wants to pretend that one single benefit or payment has the answer. The uncomfortable fact is that we can’t end poverty with welfare alone.
“To end poverty we need to get our economy moving, our public services working and create more decent, well-paid jobs.
“The frustration that I’m expressing today, and I think many people across the country will feel, is that we have this pretence in Scotland that somehow welfare is the only route out of poverty.
“The harsh reality is that there is a multi-disciplinary approach required if we are to end child poverty.”
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