EMPLOYMENT minister Esther McVey has been criticised for postponing a planned meeting to discuss the impact of the UK Government's welfare reform in Scotland.

Her office emailed Holyrood's welfare committee to say she cannot make the private meeting on June 10.

Committee convener Michael McMahon said: "We wanted a public meeting, sooner rather than later. Instead, we get a private meeting that's eventually cancelled. How insulting [is that] to the people of Scotland."

A DWP spokesman said: "Ministers have met with Scottish committees in an informal capacity and we are in touch with the committee about rearranging a further ministerial meeting.

"Ministers already appear in front of UK select committees as social security is a UK matter.

"In addition, we provide the committee with detail relating to the work of the department."