Jenny Gilruth, the deputy first minister of scotland, said on the Sunday Show that Scotland’s public finances are stretched and that ministers will need to look at cuts. She made the case while defending the SNP’s welfare spending and saying the government should not target the most vulnerable and poor.
Gilruth said, "I don't think it is too high. When public finances are stretched, the last place we should be looking is at the most vulnerable and poor." She added, "I make no apology for that. We have a welfare approach in Scotland that treats people with dignity and respect. We need to be mindful we are talking about children, we are talking about poor people. We need to invest in our public service."
Sunday Show Interview
The interview placed Gilruth, speaking to Gary Robertson, at the center of a dispute over how the Scottish Government balances welfare spending against pressure elsewhere in the budget. She also said, "I don't think there are too many special advisers."
The government’s benefits bill is expected to reach £9bn by 2031, and the same debate has been tied to impending cuts that could see 11,000 public sector jobs slashed. That leaves ministers defending spending on one side while facing pressure over where reductions would fall on the other.
Craig Hoy And Michael Marra
Craig Hoy, the Scottish Conservative finance spokesman and MSP, said Gilruth’s comments would alarm hard-working Scots, and accused the SNP of having no intention of addressing a £5 billion black hole in Scotland’s finances. Michael Marra, Scottish Labour finance spokesperson, said harsh cuts are looming as a result of Scotland’s public finances.
Marra also said, "There is now a dedicated Minister for Cuts in this SNP government, but the Deputy First Minister is still keeping Scots in the dark about where those cuts will fall."
£9bn By 2031
The immediate issue for ministers is not the size of the benefits bill alone, but where any reductions would come from if spending is pulled back elsewhere. Gilruth’s interview put that choice in public view, with pressure now on the Scottish Government to spell out which services would be affected as the £9bn spending path moves toward 2031.
