SCOTS PAY £80M TO UK BENEFITS SLASHERS
SNP Government accused of failing claimants after getting DWP to handle devolved work
SCOTLAND’S new social security agency paid the UK Government’s benefits slashing Department for Work and Pensions nearly £80million last year.
The payments, which covered the administration of devolved benefits, amounted to over half of the body’s running costs.
Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “Not only are the SNP leaving key powers in the DWP’s hands but they are putting millions in their pocket.
“People who need help are being left at the mercy of the DWP’s systems – and we are paying for the privilege.”
Post-referendum legislation gave the Scottish Parliament partial control of the benefits system, including payments for disabled people and carers as well as top-up powers.
But full implementation has been delayed and so there are joint agreements in place with the DWP.
Social Security Scotland, set up to deliver the devolved system, cost £130million in 2020-21. Staffing cost £42.3million, while £3.83million was spent on accommodation, £6.5million on “other office” and £2.3million on shared services.
The biggest chunk was the £75.4million to the DWP for “formal agreements” – nearly 60 per cent of the total spend.
The DWP is controversial because it pushed through Tory cuts like the £20-a-week reduction in Universal Credit.
Duncan-Glancy said: “It is astounding that after three years the SNP have still failed to deliver a functioning social security system.
“This is a total dereliction of duty. The SNP needs to stop putting money in the
hands of the DWP and start getting it in the pockets of the people who need it.”
It comes after DWP executive John-Paul Marks was unveiled as the next Permanent Secretary of the Scottish Government.
Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “We have now introduced 11 benefits, seven of them only available in Scotland.
“For replacement benefits, including complex disability benefits, our delivery timelines are as ambitious as possible.
“While we do this, paying some benefits through the DWP is a cost-effective way of ensuring people continue to receive the right payments at the right time.”