£1million for DWP bosses who cut benefits
Outcry over huge bonuses as policies cause poverty
SENIOR officials at the Tory Government’s benefits-cutting department have pocketed more than £1million in bonuses.
Civil servants were rewarded for their performance even though critics believe the DWP has increased poverty.
SNP MSP Shona Robison said: “The UK Government should look twice at a system that rewards senior officials while punishing those dependent on their service.
“It beggars belief that DWP chiefs are taking big handouts while families across the country are struggling due to sanctions and the rollout of Universal Credit.”
The DWP has been at the forefront of the Cameron, May and Johnson governments’ drive to cut social security.
Universal Credit was supposed to streamline the benefits system but it was underfunded and plunged people into debt.
Lifeline benefits were frozen at the same time as taxes were cut for the rich.
And disabled people had to pass strict “fit for work” tests overseen by profit-making companies.
More than four million people in the UK are trapped in deep poverty and child poverty levels in Scotland have soared to 240,000.
However, top DWP mandarins scooped £595,392 in “end of year” top-ups in 2017-18 – and £544,745 the next year.
Labour MSP Mark Griffin said: “Under the Tories, we have witnessed our social security system being cut to the bone.
“Senior civil servants who implemented these policies receiving such huge bonuses is shocking.”
The DWP said: “As is standard practice across the Civil Service, only staff performing well in their role receive a bonus.
“All payments follow strict Cabinet Office rules.”