A LABOUR MP has said he isn’t considering devolving more benefits to Scotland.
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow work and pensions secretary, has been tasked by Keir Starmer to reform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if Labour wins the General Election next year.
In an interview with the Daily Record, Ashworth said he was "not proposing more devolution of the benefits system."
Most benefits remain reserved to the UK Government, but some have been devolved to Holyrood over the last decade including lifeline payments for disabled people, carers, parents and the elderly following the 2014 independence referendum.
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These are administered by Social Security Scotland, which Ashworth said was in "as much chaos as the SNP".
Also asked if he would devolve more benefits to Scotland, Ashworth said: "One of the strengths of the social security system is that there is solidarity between Lanarkshire and Leicestershire.
"You need that solidarity to ensure good pensions are delivered, or will be delivered, for Scots and people across the rest of the UK.
"I'm not proposing more devolution of the benefits system. But what I do want to do is helping more people into work - that is the key thing, by bringing more good quality jobs to Scotland.
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