SHONA Robison slammed a Tory MSP's claims the Scottish government was putting independence ahead of child welfare as a “brass neck”.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government made the comments during a supplementary question from Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour on child poverty.
Just moments before, Robison had reiterated calls for the UK Government not to go through with the cut to the £20 per week uplift to Universal Credit.
However, Balfour used a supplementary question to claim that the Scottish government only had “independence on the mind”.
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He said: “It is deeply disappointing that the Scottish Government have yet again failed to commit to pay the Scottish Child Payment in the next fiscal year in the way that all other parties have committed to, civic society is committed to and the faith communities have committed to.
“And of course the answer is because independence is on the mind and there’s no room for anything else.
“Can the minister explain why the government insists on continually putting the constitutional obsession over the wellbeing of our young people?”
Robison quickly hit back and dismissed his claims - pointing to the UK Government’s policy on Universal Credit.
She said: “I find it astonishing that a Tory MSP would come to this chamber to demand that the Scottish Government double the Scottish Child Payment this year in the very month that his government, that Jeremy Balfour’s government is going to remove £20 a week…”
The minister was interrupted by Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone who gave a swift telling off to Balfour for “shouting across” the chamber.
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Robison continued, adding she “might have touched a raw nerve”.
She added: “Every time a Tory MSP comes to this chamber and utters the words child poverty I will be reminding them about what their government is about to do this very month in cutting £20 a week from some of the most vulnerable families.
“Get your own house in order before coming here and demanding that we do anything, get your own house in order, it’s an absolute disgrace and a brass neck.”
We previously told how nearly two-thirds of families in some areas of Scotland will lose more than £1000 a year because of the Universal Credit uplift cut.
Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reveals Glasgow Central will be the hardest hit area with 63% of families there losing £1040 a year.
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