THE Scottish Tories have responded to accusations they are ashamed of their record on child poverty after one of their Holyrood candidates refused to talk about a proposed benefits increase.
Former MP Stephen Kerr, who is standing for the Conservatives in Falkirk West, was asked by the BBC about the SNP’s plan to double the Scottish Child Payment.
Despite telling a Reporting Scotland journalist that he was there to talk about “rebuilding Scotland”, Kerr declined to talk about the anti-poverty proposals.
Kerr was quizzed about the Child Payment increase during an interview on a building site in Coatbridge. He said: “Today we are talking about rebuilding Scotland not breaking up Scotland. There’ll be other days when we talk about our response to that.”
The SNP suggested the Conservatives want to avoid the subject of child poverty at all costs, pointing to Marcus Rashford’s successful campaigns to force the UK Government to provide free school meals to children in England.
SNP candidate for Falkirk West, Michael Matheson, said: “No wonder the Tories don’t want to talk about poverty, when their policies of austerity hammered the incomes of millions across the UK, and they want to cut Universal Credit at a time when people need it most.
“Earlier this year it took a campaign from a Premier League footballer to force a U-turn on their decision to deny hungry children in England free school meals.
“They are ashamed of their record on child poverty and that is why they do not want to talk about it. In stark contrast the SNP is building a fairer and more prosperous future for the people of Scotland.”
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He added: “Not only are we supporting families by increasing the Scottish Child Payment but we have introduced the Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods and Baby Box to ensure every child in Scotland has the best possible start in life.”
A Scottish Conservative spokesman told The National: "This SNP fake news and phoney grievance is a desperate attempt to distract voters from the appalling record of SNP government and their betrayal of children across Scotland."
The SNP have pledged to increase the weekly Scottish Child Payment from £10 to £20 if they win May’s election.
The announcement was welcomed by Labour, though Anas Sarwar said the Scottish Government should have acted faster.
READ MORE: Scottish Labour refuse to agree to Unionist tactical voting pact with Tories
He commented: “"The first minister has been in post for seven years. It shouldn't have taken an election campaign for them to make the right choice for Scotland's most vulnerable children."
The Scottish Greens had also proposed doubling the payment, with co-leader Patrick Harvie saying that "fairness is a crucial part of a green recovery".
He added: "This would be just the first step of creating a new Scotland that protects human rights and doesn't allow anyone to fall into dire straits."
The LibDems have also made the same commitment, with social security spokeswoman Rosemary Bruce saying the party "recognises that poverty and hunger can be major factors in preventing children from achieving their potential".
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