New figures from Holyrood show that 84,000 families have been helped so far this year by £35m of pubic money has been used by the Scottish Government to provided to support those hit by Iain Duncan Smith's 'spare room subsidy' also known as the 'Bedroom Tax'. Kevin Stewart MSP today welcomed the figures which he points out come just a day after the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, signalled the 'ideological Tory assault on the poor is set to continue with further cuts to support for disabled people.'
Commenting, Kevin Stewart said: "I welcome these new figures showing the Scottish Government has helped 84,000 families hit by Tory Bedroom Tax so far this year. The Scottish Government is providing £35 million to help mitigate against this unfair, deeply unpopular tax. This support – as part of the Scottish Welfare Fund – is helping those hit hardest by the ideological Tory assault on the least well off people in society."
Continuing Mr Stewart said: "This week Iain Duncan Smith has made clear that that he intends to further cut support for disabled people. While the Scottish Government works to support the most vulnerable, the Tories are intent on showing time and time again they cannot be trusted on welfare. This highlights exactly why the Scottish Parliament needs full powers over the welfare state to allow us to support and empower people – rather than pushing more people into poverty like the Tories have done."
"Iain Duncan Smith hides from answering questions Scotland's Parliament – but the sooner he comes here to explain his seemingly unending austerity agenda, which makes life so difficult for so many vulnerable and hard-working Scots, the better." Kevin Stewart added.
