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PRESS RELEASE

Scrap the cap and stop punishing poorest in society, SNP tell Tories

DWP's own research shows policy only entrenching poverty

The SNP has reiterated its calls for the Tories to scrap the benefit cap after the UK government's own assessments showed that after the introduction of the cap, claimants spent less money on children and essential items.

The research, commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and peer reviewed by IFS researchers, suggested common impacts of the cap included reduced spending, falling into debt and borrowing from friends or family.

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

"These assessments show the Tories and the DWP are well aware of the adverse impact of this cruel policy, and yet have continued to force it on households anyway, further entrenching poverty during a brutal Tory-made cost of living crisis.

"That is undeniably cruel and squashes any suggestion that the cap exists to act as some sort of incentive as opposed to what it really is - a form of punishment for the poorest in society.

"The Tories must no longer be allowed to attempt to justify this policy and must scrap the benefit cap immediately.

"But sadly the Tories are the party of the benefit cap, austerity, the bedroom tax and the rape clause, their policy agenda is in stark contrast to the work actually needed to lift people out of poverty, and so we shouldn't hold our breathe for change anytime soon.

"That makes it all the more important we assume the full powers of independence, so our SNP Scottish Government can continue to work progressively to end poverty in Scotland, unhindered by the callous actions of Westminster Tories."