The new Deputy First Minister has defended the Scottish Government’s “more generous” approach to benefits, with Jenny Gilruth insisting she is “proud” of the approach to welfare adopted by the SNP.
While Tories and Reform have called on the SNP to cut back on the country’s burgeoning benefits spending, Ms Gilruth said the system was set up to “treat people with dignity”.
But Ms Gilruth – who is also the Finance Secretary in John Swinney’s new slimmed down Cabinet – accepted the country is facing a “pretty challenging fiscal context”.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme on Thursday, she said there is a need to “look at efficiencies across the piece”.
It is right and proper we support those who are in need in Scotland, and we know there are a number of people in Scotland who are in need of support from the state
When pressed about whether there should be cuts to the benefits system as part of that, she said she does not think the welfare bill is too high.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission has forecast overall welfare costs could rise from £7.4 billion in 2026-27 to £9.2 billion by 2030-31.
Ms Gilruth said that is in part because Scotland is “having to step in where the UK Government’s welfare state has failed”.
She said: “Of course we do have a generous benefits system in Scotland, I will not shy away from that or make any apology for that.
There have been large increases in social security spending over this parliament, more than in any other part of the Scottish Budget. Based on current policies, we forecast social security spending will continue to increase. (2/4) pic.twitter.com/XFYnmfJ6Zr
— Scottish Fiscal Commission (@scotfisccomm) February 25, 2026
“It is right and proper we support those who are in need in Scotland, and we know there are a number of people in Scotland who are in need of support from the state.”
She added that since the devolved benefits system was set up, the approach taken has been “to treat people with dignity”.
Ms Gilruth said: “We have to continue to support those who are in need. We have seen consistently from Westminster governments, whether they be Tory or Labour, callous approaches to cutting welfare benefits to those most in need, to the disabled and those most on the poverty line.
“We’ve not taken that approach as a Government as Scotland and I have been very proud to serve as a member of the SNP Government throughout that time, supporting those who are most in need with an approach that treats people with dignity and respect.
“We think that is the right thing to do as a responsible Government that looks after and cares for our people.”