'Spineless' Anas Sarwar slated for 'deafening silence' on UK benefit cuts
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed £5 billion of cuts in the Spring Statement earlier this week which will see eligibility rules for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) changed and the health element of Universal Credit frozen for existing claimants.
For new claimants the health element will be almost halved in 2026/27 to £50 and then frozen at this level until 2029/30.
The Department for Work and Pensions' impact assessment estimates the measures will lead to an additional 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, in relative poverty by 2030.
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Scores of Labour politicians have made clear their opposition to the plans including Manchester mayor Andy Burnham who has said "it feels like the wrong choice".
The Scottish Government has accused Labour ministers of balancing their budget "on the backs of the poorest in society" and said the announcement would leave it with a funding shortfall.
But Scottish Labour leader Sarwar has defended the cuts saying the impact assessment only considered the benefits changes, not a "package of measures" announced by the UK Government which could help tackle poverty.
He told BBC Scotland News: "You have to look at these measures in the round. But does every government have to do more to challenge poverty? Of course it does."
SNP MP Pete Wishart said Sarwar's "deafening silence" on the Labour Party's cuts to disabled people was "shameful and weak".
(Image: Jane Barlow) "It shows he can't be trusted to stand up for Scotland or keep his promises, " said Wishart.
The SNP Westminster deputy leader said the cuts 'are a warning sign to voters ahead of the Scottish Parliament election that the Labour Party can't be trusted".
During the election, Sarwar promised voters "read my lips: no austerity under Labour" and has repeatedly claimed Labour's latest move does not represent austerity.
Sarwar also claimed there would be no "detrimental impact" on the Scottish Government's budget in the next three years. This comes after Scottish Secretary Ian Murray claimed there would be "zero impact" on the Scottish Budget.
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The Fraser of Allander Institute has reported the welfare reforms would lead to a £200m cut in Treasury funding for Scotland in 2028/29, and a £425m cut in 2029/30.
Just one Scottish Labour MP, Brian Leishman, has spoken out against the cuts, warning they are "awful cuts that will impact disabled people" and confirming he will vote against them.
In contrast, dozens of Labour MPs have spoken out in England and Wales including Debbie Abrahams, who warned "there are alternative, more compassionate ways to balance the books rather than on the back of sick and disabled people", and Diane Abbott who said she did not get involved in politics "to make the poorest even poorer".
Blyth MP Ian Lavery said voting against the measures in the Spring Statement "won't make me a rebel, it will put me on the right side of history", while Leeds MP Richard Burgon said the statement contained "cruel attacks" on disabled people.
Wishart went on: "While dozens of Labour MPs in England and Wales have joined the SNP in condemning the cuts, Sarwar has, yet again, shown he is spineless by breaking his election promise to stand up to Keir Starmer and defend disabled people.
"Voters in Scotland feel betrayed. Many are asking what is the point in Anas Sarwar and the Scottish Labour Party if they are constantly incapable of standing up for Scotland?
"Why is it that Labour Party MPs in England and Wales are willing to speak out and defend their constituents, while Anas Sarwar and his Scottish Labour MPs always roll over - no matter the consequences for Scotland?
"Since the election, they have been silent while Keir Starmer cut the winter fuel payment and disability benefits, blocked compensation for WASPI women, betrayed workers in Grangemouth, pushed children into poverty with the two child benefit cap, slashed international aid, cut £800million from Edinburgh's supercomputer and delayed Scotland's long-overdue carbon capture investment."
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