Anas Sarwar urged to ‘take a stand’ on expected welfare cuts

The Scottish Greens have urged Anas Sarwar to “take a stand” amid reports the UK Government is set to slash the welfare budget by billions.

Co-leader Lorna Slater urged the Scottish Labour leader to stand by his general election pledge that there would be “no austerity under Labour” at Westminster.

It comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to unveil reforms to the benefits system at the end of the month as she looks to reduce public spending.

We were told that Scottish Labour MPs would speak up for Scotland

Ms Slater said: “I was standing on the same debate stage as Anas Sarwar when he promised ‘no austerity under Labour’. Surely this can’t be what he has in mind?

“Anas Sarwar represents some of the most deprived parts of Scotland and some of the people who will suffer the most. Did he know about these cuts or were they also news to him?

“We were told that Scottish Labour MPs would speak up for Scotland. So will they stand by the promises that their leader made to their communities and end austerity?”

Ms Slater said the expected welfare cuts will come just after the UK Government announced it would reduce the international aid budget.

Last month, the Prime Minister announced he would increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.

To help pay for it, Sir Keir Starmer said he would reduce foreign aid from 0.5% of GDP to 0.3%.

Ms Slater warned it would be the “people with the least” who would be “hurt most” by the UK Government’s decisions.

She added: “If they opt for inaction and refuse to take a stand then the human consequences will be severe. People will be hurt and in some cases people could die because of these decisions.”

“There is more than enough money in the UK to end these cuts and ensure that everyone can live well. But so much of it is in the hands of a small number of wealthy people.

“By introducing a wealth tax Labour could stop these cuts, remove the cruel two-child benefit cap and build a fairer and greener society. The fact they are happy to punch down like this instead tells us a lot about their values.”

Scottish Labour and the UK Government have been approached for comment.