Scottish Government: Social Security Benefits

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Excerpts

Wednesday 24th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Livermore (Lab)]

I did not know about what the noble Lord says. I am more than happy to take that back to my DWP colleagues and to discuss it with them.

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

My Lords, the Scottish Government are using this social security spending to deliver a more humane system that treats people with dignity. We have recently had the family finances project from the University of Glasgow and the University of Manchester, which shows that the Scottish child payment has reduced levels of food insecurity and material deprivation for children by about eight percentage points compared with comparable populations in England. Will the English Government follow suit?

[Lord Livermore (Lab)]

I think the noble Baroness means the UK Government. I know that the Scottish Greens are in coalition with the SNP in Scotland, so presumably she supports what they are doing. As I have said already, it is a matter for the Scottish Government. They have full responsibility for policy decisions in devolved areas and any spending they choose to undertake must come from within their own budgets.