Tories and Labour urged to scrap Benefit Cap

Independence the only way to build a fairer social security system

The SNP has said "independence is the only way to build a fairer social security system for Scotland", ahead of the 10-year anniversary of the cruel Westminster benefit cap.

It comes following new analysis from the Child Poverty Action Group showing the policy has left some of the lowest-earning families in the UK living on as little as £44-a-week after paying housing costs - impacting almost 250,000 children.

David Linden MP, the SNP's Social Justice spokesperson, has urged both the Tories' and pro-Brexit Labour to commit to its abolition - or devolve social security laws to Holyrood so that "Humza Yousaf and the SNP Scottish Government can tackle the problem head on".

The SNP Scottish Government are already providing £8.6million in direct support for people affected by the UK benefit cap as part of its work to tackle child poverty.

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

"We may be 10 years on from the cruel benefit cap being introduced by Westminster, but the impact of the policy continues to hammer households each and every day.

"With both the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour showing no signs of U-turning on the policy, there can be no doubt that independence is the only way to build a fairer social security system for Scotland.

"If neither Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer commit to its abolition, they should devolve social security laws to Holyrood so that Humza Yousaf and the SNP Scottish Government can tackle the issue head on.

"At the next election, voters can be in no doubt that only the SNP are offering a real alternative through independence - which would rid Scotland of cruel social security policies like the benefit cap and the two-child benefit cap once and for all."