Swinney's new deputy denies benefits spending is 'too high'
Jenny Gilruth has only just been appointed Scotland’s new finance secretary - but is already dismissing calls to make drastic cuts to the benefits bill
John Swinney’s new deputy has been accused of being “not serious” about addressing the black hole in Scotland’s finances after she said she does not believe the benefits bill is too high.
Jenny Gilruth, who was appointed the new deputy first minister and finance secretary on Wednesday, said the SNP will “not apologise” for having a more “generous” benefits system than the rest of the UK, despite it being projected to reach £10 billion by 2030.
However, she said the cost of mitigating “Westminster austerity” through benefits is “not sustainable”.
When asked whether welfare spending is too high, she said: “No, I don’t think it’s too high.
“We need to reflect why it’s the case that across Scotland we are having to step in where the UK welfare state has failed.
“The Scottish Government is spending £100 million a year mitigating Westminster austerity and that’s a cost to the public purse that is not sustainable.
“We do have a more generous benefits system in Scotland and I will not apologise for that.”
She added: “It’s right and proper that we support those in need.
“We have seen consistently from Westminster governments, whether it is Tory or Labour, callous approaches to welfare budgets for the most disabled and the most on the poverty line.
“We have not taken that approach in Scotland and I am very proud to support those most in need.”
Social security spending in Scotland this year was £7.4bn, and is forecast to rise to £9.2bn by 2030/31. More than half of this is spent on adult disability payments, which is expected to be given to a million Scots by 2031.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission also says the gap between social security spending in Scotland and what the government receives from the Treasury for welfare will grow to £1.1bn in 2026/27 and £1.2bn by 2030/31.
Her comments were criticised by the Scottish Conservatives, who said it “defies belief” that Ms Gilruth has “no intention” of tackling the rising cost of welfare.
Craig Hoy MSP, the party’s finance spokesman, said: “On day one, Jenny Gilruth has demonstrated she’s out of her depth and not serious about tackling the £5bn black hole in Scotland’s finances.
“We all want a social security safety net for the most vulnerable people, but the SNP’s light-touch, tick-box system is on course to hit £10bn per year and is wide open to abuse.”
However Ms Gilruth said the Scottish Government has been “up front” about the scale of the challenges facing public finances, particularly by Mr Swinney appointing Ivan McKee as public service reform secretary.
She said: “The government has been really up front about that when it set out the medium term financial plan last year - efficiencies are needed across the piece.
“We have been very honest about the significant scale we need to consider for reforms.”
Ms Gilruth also said independence will “absolutely” be part of the SNP’s plans for the first 100 days in government, and said it is vital the First Minister “unlocks the logjam” of securing a second referendum.
She said: “I don’t think it’s credible for a Westminster government to say ‘no’ when there’s been consistent support for the SNP.
“It’s undemocratic - they need to look at the election result and admit a number of people in Scotland support independence.”
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