THE First Minister has called on the UK Government to provide further support in the upcoming Spring Budget to tackle poverty in Scotland.
Speaking ahead of a visit to a community library in Edinburgh on Wednesday, Yousaf said that despite considerable attempts to mitigate UK Government cuts more targeted action was needed if Chancellor Jeremy Hunt wanted to help those struggling.
“Tackling child poverty is a central mission for the Scottish Government,” he said.
“That’s why in the year ahead we will invest a record £6.3 billion in social security benefits, including the game-changing Scottish Child Payment and six other benefits only available in Scotland. This is a full £1.1 billion more than we receive for social security.
READ MORE: Scottish Budget passed as SNP attack 'new age' of Tory austerity
“However, most of the powers to tackle poverty and the cost of living remain in the UK Government’s hands.
“The Spring Budget is an opportunity for the Chancellor to take action to provide further targeted support for people who are struggling.
“We have made repeated calls to make social security fit for purpose - by introducing an Essentials Guarantee, to ensure Universal Credit is always enough to meet people’s basic needs - and by removing the punitive two child limit and so-called ‘rape clause.’
READ MORE: Labour peer wants early Holyrood election if SNP lose MP majority
“This damaging policy restricts the amount of support available to some of our most vulnerable people and disproportionately affects women and children.
“We will continue to do everything within the scope of our powers and budget in order to meet our statutory child poverty targets and will be relentless in that focus, but it is only with the full economic and fiscal powers of an independent nation that ministers can use all levers other governments have to tackle inequalities.”
It comes after the Scottish Budget was passed in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday evening, with Deputy First Minister Shona Robison lamenting a “new age of austerity” enforced by the Tories.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel