Clare Adamson MSP has warned that any Labour moves to cut spending on tackling child poverty would be devastating for children and families in her constituency.
In a New Year’s speech in Glasgow, Anas Sarwar indicated that - if Labour were in power in Scotland - he would seek to reduce investment on Social Security support payments. This includes the vital Scottish Child Payment; part of the SNP’s policy programme which is driving down poverty levels across Scotland.
In 2021, Mr Sarwar said: “we should double the Scottish child payment immediately, then double it again next year. That simple act would cut child poverty by nearly a third, transforming 80,000 lives.”
But Mr Sarwar has now suggested that social security support would not be his priority. Ms Adamson said this change in approach is another example of Scottish Labour being unable to stand up to UK Labour policy.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has chosen to keep the two-child benefit cap, the bedroom tax, and has spoken about benefits spending “blighting our society”.
Ms Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said:
“Scottish Labour used to support social security investment as a means to tackling poverty. They campaigned against cruel DWP policies when it was the Tories making those calls. Now, a Labour UK Government are running things and Scottish Labour has suddenly misplaced its values.
“Labour previously supported the SNP’s game-changing Scottish Child Payment; a support payment that is unique to Scotland and has lifted thousands of children out of poverty.
“But now, Anas Sarwar appears to have gone back on his word. As he has done with the winter fuel payment and compensation for WASPI women.
“We warned before the UK election that Scottish Labour would be unfit and unable to stand up to their London bosses. Those warnings were well founded going by what we have seen since Labour took office. This is not the change that was promised.
"In contrast, this SNP Government under John Swinney has put forward a budget that commits to record NHS funding, the reinstatement of a universal winter fuel payment, 8,000 affordable new homes, and the abolition of the abhorrent two child cap.”
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