The Scottish Government is strengthening the social safety net
even as the UK Government is “steadily dismantling the welfare
system”, Social Justice Secretary will tell MSPs
today.
Opening a debate on social security investment, Ms Somerville
will say the Scottish Government is making choices to support
people who are struggling in the cost of living crisis.
Modelling estimates Scottish Government policies such as the
Scottish Child Payment will keep 90,000 children out of relative
and absolute poverty in 2023-24. Meanwhile more than £1 billion
has been spent mitigating the impacts of 14 years of UK
Government welfare reforms.
Ms Somerville is expected to say:
“Social Security Scotland is a safety net which we continue to
strengthen through record investment - all the while the UK
Government is steadily dismantling the welfare system across the
UK.
“We are committing a record £6.3 billion for benefits expenditure
through the 2024-25 Budget,which is £1.1bn more than the UK
Government gives to the Scottish Government for social security,
demonstrating our commitment to tackling
poverty. This is money going directly to people
who need it the most in the current cost of living crisis.
“We have a built a new system with the powers at our disposal –
but our hands are tied by our restricted powers and by UK
Government austerity.
“That is why we have called for the introduction of an Essentials
Guarantee to ensure Universal Credit is actually sufficient for
people to afford basic items such as food and heating. I continue
to call on the Chancellor to deliver an essentials guarantee and
scrap the rape clause and two-child cap.”
Background
Scottish Budget: 2024 to
2025
Scottish Child Payment
statistics
Child poverty measures: Revised
cumulative impact assessment
The Scottish Government funds local authorities to provide
Discretionary Housing Payments, to help mitigate UK Government
policies including the ‘bedroom tax’ and the benefit cap. The
2024-5 budget, if passed by Parliament, will increase this
funding by £6.8 million (8%) to £92.7 million. £2.2 million will
be distributed to councils to cover administration of the
funding.
