DEPARTMENT for Work and Pensions (DWP) minister Will Quince has faced criticism after making a deep-fried Mars bar joke in response to an SNP MP's question about Universal Credit.
The Tory MP was taking urgent questions over the latest delay to the roll-out of the UK Government's flagship welfare policy. The push back to late 2024 is expected to cost tax payers £500 million.
READ MORE: SNP demand halt to Universal Credit rollout amid £500m cost hike
Martin Docherty-Hughes, SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire, raised concerns over the delay and called on ministers to reflect on the scheme's roll-out so far in order to correct mistakes going forwards. The roll-out of Universal Credit has faced criticism for a number of reasons, including the five-week waiting period for claimants.
After complaining about the number of job centres closed by the DWP, Docherty-Hughes said to Quince: "I hope the minister does take the opportunity maybe to agree with me that this extension and additional monies going into the process, there is an opportunity to reflect on what has gone on before especially for those members such as myself whose constituents do not feel as though they have been treated properly."
Asking Tory DWP Minister a serious question about the impact of #UniversalCredit on foodbanks and the Minister responds with a 'quip' about #DeepFried Mars bars...
— Martin Docherty-Hughes 🏴🏳️🌈 (@MartinJDocherty) February 4, 2020
Says it all about the UK Govt's so-called respect agenda! 😡#ScotlandDeservesBetter pic.twitter.com/T2GNkVvfNy
In response, Quince said: "Well Mr Speaker I thank the honourable gentleman for his question. We have over 630 job centres up and down our country, so there will be a job centre within reach of the honourable gentleman.
"The honourable gentleman raises a number of points. We are always looking at how we can improve Universal Credit, and if the honourable gentleman has ideas he can either write to me or come and see me. I’m very approachable. We could even share a deep-fried Mars bar together."
The comment caused a few shocked noises to come from the SNP benches.
Later today, Docherty-Hughes took to Twitter to criticise the minister's "quip".
The MP wrote: "It says it all about the UK Govt's so-called respect agenda!" and added an angry emoji to his post.
The origins of the deep-fried Mars bar stereotype appear to go back to 1995, when the Daily Record ran a story on "Scotland's craziest takeaway" in Stonehaven.
The writer mocked this particular takeaway for serving a Mars bar supper and other UK publications caught wind of it.
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