Findlay accuses opponents of misrepresenting party’s two-child cap calls

Russell Findlay has accused political opponents of a “deliberate mischaracterisation” of his party’s proposals for a two-child cap on the Scottish child payment (SCP).

The Scottish Tory leader said he had to be “honest” that current welfare spending was “unfair”, “unsustainable” and “unaffordable”.

He also attacked Reform UK Scotland and accused the party of promising tax cuts without making savings from the rising benefits bill.

Last week, Mr Findlay called for the Scottish child payment to be limited to the first two children, mirroring the policy his party had applied to benefits at Westminster. The benefit is worth £27.15 a week for every eligible child.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville described the policy as “cruel”.

Speaking to the Press Association, Mr Findlay insisted the limit would be fair.

“What we’re seeing is a deliberate mischaracterisation of our position by our political opponents,” he told the Press Association.

“They would like to see benefit spending rise without any form of limit.

“This is unfair, it’s unsustainable and it’s unaffordable, and we’re the only party being honest about that.

“We don’t want to trap people in the benefit system, we want to encourage people to get out of benefits and get into well-paid employment.

“That’s the best way of tackling child poverty.”

Mr Findlay suggested the Tories could defy the polls, one of which last week showed his party slumping into a similar position as the Greens and Lib Dems, while Reform surged past Labour into second place behind the SNP.

If replicated at the Holyrood elections in May, Nigel Farage’s party – which recently appointed former Tory minister Malcolm Offord as Scottish leader – would replace the Conservatives as the opposition at Holyrood.

Mr Findlay said his party was the only one that could be trusted to stand up to the SNP and protect the union.

He added: “We’re the only party who can be trusted on those things and also talking about the cost of living, talking about the economy.

“We’ve got Reform UK who, on the one hand, tell us they’re a unionist party but then say they in all likelihood would field nationalist candidates.

“They also talk about saving taxpayers’ money with tax cuts, but they don’t support any cuts to Scotland’s benefits bill, which is completely out of control.

“They’re not being realistic and that’s why what we are putting forward is common sense, conservative proposals around the economy to show the people of Scotland that we are on their side.”

SNP MSP Collette Stevenson, who also convenes the Social Security Committee, said: “The two-child benefit cap compounded poverty and damaged our economy – disgracefully the Labour Party took 18 months to ditch the abhorrent policy as thousands more children were pushed into poverty on Keir Starmer’s watch.

“The Scottish child payment has led to Scotland having the lowest child poverty rates in the UK while the SNP Scottish Government offers the best cost-of-living support across these islands – that’s the difference that John Swinney’s strong leadership brings.

“Only through a fresh start with independence can Scotland be free of Westminster policies which have driven so many Scottish families to the brink.”

Reform UK have been approached for comment.