UK Government should ‘think again’ on welfare cuts, says Swinney

John Swinney has urged the UK Government to “think again” about expected welfare cuts that he said could “punish” the most vulnerable in society.

Scotland’s First Minister told the PA news agency that he “didn’t like the look” of reports around the cuts.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to set out plans for benefits reform on Tuesday that could see the welfare budget slashed by billions.

The UK Government has said it wants to get more people back to work and slash the benefits bill described by ministers as “unsustainable”.

Reports that this could include cuts to the personal independence payment (PIP), the main disability benefit, have sparked an outcry from Labour MPs.

On Monday, the First Minister warned that any cuts made by the UK Government could impact the Scottish Government’s budget.

He said: “We don’t yet know what will be the detail of the UK Government’s steps.

“I’ve seen a lot of speculation. I don’t like the look of the speculation that I’m seeing because I think that has the potential to have an effect on the resources that we have available to invest in social security.

I don't think that the right thing to do is to punish those who face vulnerability in our society by the type of cuts that have been talked about by the UK Government

“Now, we’ve taken decisions as a Government to enhance that investment by some of the tough decisions that we have taken on taxation but we will have to wait to see the full decisions that the UK Government makes.

“What I would say in general is that, at this particular moment in time, I don’t think that the right thing to do is to punish those who face vulnerability in our society by the type of cuts that have been talked about by the UK Government.

“I would encourage the UK Government to think again.”

UK ministers insist that reform is necessary given the number of people in England and Wales claiming either sickness or disability benefits has soared from 2.8 million to about 4.0 million since 2019.

The benefits bill has risen with this increase, reaching £48 billion in 2023-24, and is forecast to continue rising to £67 billion in 2029-30.

Social Security Scotland controls a range of benefits north of the border, though many are still reserved to Westminster.

Amid a revolt from some Labour MPs, Emma Reynolds, the economic secretary to the treasury, said the most vulnerable would be protected.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday, she said: “We’ll set out further details, but the severely disabled and the most vulnerable will always get support, and there will always be a safety net.

“And some colleagues are jumping to conclusions about our plans before they’ve heard them, so I just urge them to be patient.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “We have been clear that the current welfare system is broken and needs reform, so it is fairer on the taxpayer and helps long-term sick and disabled people who can work to find employment, whilst ensuring it provides support for those who need it most.”