BENEFITS HIT NEW RECORD OF £65M A DAY

SCOTLAND’S benefits bill has soared to a record high, costing nearly £65million every day.

The state handed out more than £23billion for the first time last year, boosted by the rising costs of the state pension and social security.

The figures will spark fresh concerns about the sustainability of the ‘social protection’ bill.

Although the state pension is reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government has powers over other benefits. Under the new Scotland Act, it will have the power to top up any benefit.

A total of £68.6billion was spent on public services in Scotland in 2015-16 by the Holyrood and Westminster Governments.

A huge chunk, £23.6billion, went on ‘social protection’ – up from £22.9billion the previous year. By far the biggest component is the state pension, which is safe from any proposed Government cuts and now stands at £7.6billion.