John Swinney: SNP will protect welfare system despite what Labour does
This is in stark contrast to the approach being taken by the UK Government. Despite the last-minute concessions they have made to their welfare reforms, if the UK Government presses ahead with cuts to disability support, they risk plunging more people into poverty and introducing a two-tier system. That is unconscionable.
I want to reassure families that we will not take forward harmful welfare changes in Scotland.
READ MORE: Richard Murphy: Benefits boost the economy. It's the rich who are the problem
The additional powers secured by the Scottish Government following the 2014 referendum have allowed us to take a different approach to social security and protect people from the worst of UK Government austerity.
We have used these new powers to build a social security system that is unashamedly built on fairness, dignity and respect for those who need our support. Since becoming First Minister, I have worked tirelessly to ensure resources are directed towards those who need them most.
This year, we're investing £6.9 billion in our social security system – which is almost £1.3bn more than we receive from the UK Government for social security through the block grant.
This includes investment of £638 million in our package of benefits and payments only available in Scotland, one of which is the Scottish Child Payment.
That payment is forecast to be supporting the families of around 330,000 children this year.
SNP leader John Swinney has pledged to end the two-child benefit cap in Scotland (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) We're also working at pace to build the systems needed to mitigate the UK Government's two-child benefit cap for families – a cap which has been kept in place by the current UK Government. Our new benefit – the Two Child Limit Payment – will begin accepting applications in March next year.
These measures will help provide much-needed support to families who need it most, especially during this ongoing cost of living crisis.
Investing in tackling poverty also brings wider benefits across society and provides value for money for taxpayers.
READ MORE: Labour's £46-billion problem: How to find the 'record-high' missing tax
Keeping families out of poverty and providing support in line with our cost of living guarantee means that our economy is able to grow. More people are able to work and take advantage of opportunities to access training.
Growing the economy in turn helps us deliver public services, including the NHS, for the benefit of everyone in Scotland.
Meanwhile, the UK Government's approach to cutting vital benefits demonstrates our starkly different values when it comes to social security.
Scotland's Adult Disability Payment will not be cut, and we will not attempt to balance the books at the expense of disabled people.
My government will continue to unashamedly protect and invest in the social security system.
We will not cast aside those most in need of our support.
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