THE Westminster Government is increasing stigma around mental health and disability as it defends imminent cuts to disability benefits, a Scottish Cabinet Secretary has warned.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville further warned that cuts expected to be announced by Labour on Tuesday could have “grave implications” for the devolved Scottish Budget.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to set out plans that will see the welfare budget slashed by as much as £5 billion, with one million people losing eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Speaking about the plans, Somerville told the BBC: “I am deeply concerned about what we're hearing coming back from Westminster at the moment – because the self-imposed fiscal rules of the Westminster government seem to be leading to some of the most vulnerable in our society having money taken away from them.
“We've developed a social security system here in Scotland that has dignity, fairness and respect – and encouraging people to come forward for what they're entitled to.
“Unfortunately from what we're hearing down in Westminster, they're actually increasing the stigma, particularly around mental health and increasing the stigma of coming forward.”
Somerville said that as the working population ages and the cost-of-living crisis’s effects are seen, there is “an increasing prevalence in mental health and other conditions”.
“The only way that Westminster can cut [disability benefits] is if they cut the eligibility for people with mental health conditions or other conditions,” she said.
“I'm really deeply concerned about that because we have spent decades trying to reduce the stigma of people with mental health conditions, and that's deeply disappointing if they're trying to actually save money on the backs of disabled people.”
PIP will be devolved to Scotland this year and replaced with an “adult disability payment”. Asked if this would still happen if Westminster cuts PIP back, the Social Justice Secretary said it would.
However, she warned that if “the Westminster Government come in and actually take major changes or indeed any changes to the eligibility, that will have grave implications for the Scottish Government Budget”.
Labour decisions impact Scottish funding due to Barnett consequentials – money allocated to Scotland which reflect UK Government spending in England.
On Monday, First Minister John Swinney raised similar concerns and called for Labour to look at raising taxes before cutting back benefits.
The party warned that any “return to austerity will haunt the Labour Party for the rest of its time in government”.
Last week, a group of poverty and disability charities, including Disability Rights UK and the Trussell Trust, warned cuts to disability benefits could have a “catastrophic impact on disabled people up and down the country”.
Emma Reynolds, the economic secretary to the treasury, urged MPs to be “patient” amid mounting backbench discontent over the changes, accusing members of her party of “jumping to conclusions”.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “We have been clear that the current welfare system is broken and needs reform, so it is fairer on the taxpayer and helps long-term sick and disabled people who can work to find employment, whilst ensuring it provides support for those who need it most.”
