Return to SNP front bench

I am delighted to be returning to the front bench at Westminster and joining political cabinet as SNP Spokesperson for Social Justice.

Each and every day, myself and my constituency team deal with countless cases relating to benefits, pensions and disability. As a result, I have a clear picture of where the gaping holes are when it comes to the supposed safety net of our social security system. In short, the UK social security system is utterly inadequate and is a stark contrast to the devolved benefits system in Scotland, which is underpinned by human rights, dignity and respect.

The UK Department of Work & Pensions is one of the largest spending departments in the British Government, having spent £217 billion last year on benefits and pensions. It employs over 80,000 civil service across these islands and impacts every citizen at some point in their lives. Having firmly entered a new age of austerity and, with Labour and the Conservatives making largely the same arguments on tax & spend, I look forward to leading the SNP's calls for a social security system which is adequate, compassionate and based on dignity — not the political football which has been punted about by successive Tory and Labour Governments.

Photo credit: ©UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor