The mask slips… it only took a day! SNP minister admits: I'm 'happy' for welfare bill to skyrocket
Shirley-Anne Somerville was accused of being 'detached' from the priorities of ordinary Scots after she rejected concerns about the soaring cost of welfare payments.
It came just a day after her government unveiled a £2.6billion cuts drive which will consider changes to the current 'light-touch' approach to adult disability payment appeals in order to bring down costs.
Experts say spending cuts or tax rises will be needed to pay for the rising cost of devolved benefits, which is forecast to soar to more than £9billion a year.
Scottish Conservative social security spokesman Alexander Stewart said: 'This sums up how detached SNP ministers are from Scots priorities.
Hard-pressed taxpayers are desperate for them to tackle Scotland's benefits bill. However, this answer makes it clear the Nationalists are content to squander their money rather than accepting their failure to get a grip on the costs of their benefits system.
'If they don't get a grip of this situation, it will mean further cuts to essential services or yet more tax rises for hard-pressed Scots, who are already sick of paying more and getting less.'
The Social Security Secretary's comments came during an appearance on the BBC's Question Time programme from St Andrews, after she condemned Labour's welfare reforms.
Asked if she was happy to see the welfare bill increase, she said that there needs to be a 'robust' social security system which supports people when they need it. She said: 'I will not support cuts if it takes away from the vulnerable.'
Pressed on whether she was happy that the bill will increase, she said: 'I am happy that we have a government that has the backs of disabled people, unlike Labour, and we will not walk away from them up here in Scotland.'
Presenter Fiona Bruce said: 'Just to be clear, as the welfare bill is increased in Scotland you are happy with that?'
Ms Somerville replied: 'We know that we have responsibilities as a government to meet that budget, so I'm happy with the fact that we are supporting people, yes.'
During the programme, filmed as details about the UK Government's partial U-turn on welfare reform began to emerge, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar highlighted that the SNP was reviewing its approach to adult disability payment assessments, and 'recognise that the sustainability of it is in question'.
The Fraser of Allander Institute has previously said the number of people receiving devolved disability benefits is forecast to rise to over 1.13million by 2029/30.
While it said the caseload for disability benefits is growing across the UK, 'it is rising more rapidly in Scotland', where a 'light-touch review process' has been introduced, 'where claimants can confirm their condition remains the same without needing to provide extensive new evidence'.
The Scottish Government's fiscal sustainability delivery planb acknowledged that there has been 'a lower rate of adult disability benefit awards being ended or decreased at review than previously forecast'.
Ms Somerville also admitted that Scotland's NHS has 'challenges' when confronted with concerns about cancer care delays. Mr Sarwar said: 'Put bluntly, I don't believe the NHS will survive a third decade of John Swinney and the SNP.'
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