Poverty experts praise Scottish Government's social security system

Leading poverty experts have praised the SNP-led Scottish Government's social security system while simultaneously slamming the UK government's efforts.

Speaking to the Work and Pensions Select Committee this morning, Robert Joyce - Deputy Director and Head of Income, Work and Welfare at the IFS - stated that:

"They [the Scottish Government] are making pretty substantial increases. They have just made clearly a distributional choice (…) to channel a lot more money towards low-income families with children in particular and that has a meaningful impact on incomes."

That view was echoed by the Director of The Poverty Alliance, Peter Kelly, who said:

"The principles that are embedded into the social security system in Scotland (…) I think is particularly important. The principle around making a contribution to reducing poverty in particular I think is an important principle."

Moreover, Ashwin Kumar - Professor of Social Policy and Director, Policy, Evaluation Research Unit at Manchester Metropolitan University - said:

"The Child Poverty Act, that sets out targets, has given the Scottish Government a significant focus on what it can do to reduce poverty, and that's hugely welcome".

Commenting, the SNP's Social Justice spokesperson, David Linden MP, said:

"Today's committee has once again highlighted the tale of two governments.

"On one hand, we have a Tory UK government who are hell bent on imposing devastating austerity measures on the poorest in our society.

"While in contrast, the SNP Scottish Government - with their limited budget and powers - remain committed to helping those in need by introducing game-changing policies like the Scottish Child Payment - one of seven benefits only available in Scotland - which puts money directly into people's pockets.

"It's high time the Tories take note of such policies and follow suit.

"However, it shouldn't be the job of the SNP Scottish Government to pick up the broken pieces left behind by an outdated, broken Westminster system.

"The only way to protect the long-term future of Scottish households and build a better, fairer social security system is through independence."