Tens of thousands of disabled Scots are facing controversial benefits assessments, according to figures highlighted by Scottish Labour as part of its summer campaign.

Statistics show around 130,000 working age people in Scotland were receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the end of last year, with the benefit gradually being replaced by Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Those being transferred to PIP face an assessment process which has been heavily criticised by charities and equality campaigners.

They say the process - run by private contractors for the UK Government - puts claimants through unnecessary stress and worry, with some having their benefits cut or stopped entirely as a result.

The Scottish Government has pledged to reduce the need for assessments and ban the use of private firms when the benefit is devolved to Scotland.

But Labour said the Government's action will come too late.

Under transition arrangements, the UK Government will continue to administer certain benefits in Scotland, including PIP, until 2020.

The party's social security spokesman Mark Griffin said: "For years SNP ministers have, rightly, criticised Tory reforms to welfare benefits for treating people with disabilities cruelly.

"They have promised that they would restore respect and dignity in the new Scottish social security system.

"But now they are prepared to leave some of Scotland's most vulnerable citizens to the mercies of a Tory Government until the end of the decade."

A spokesman for social security minister Jeane Freeman said: "There is no delay to the devolution of these social security powers. Labour should know that it is only once we have the legislative framework in place - the process which is currently under way - that it is possible to start delivering the social security payments.

"We have repeatedly called on the UK Government to halt the roll-out of PIP in Scotland, which has caused many people to undergo stressful assessments and lose entitlement with devastating consequences. The priority for those who want to protect people in Scotland from the UK Government's new system should be to stop the roll-out of PIP altogether.

"Ironically, if Labour had had their way then these powers would have remained in Westminster's hands in perpetuity. By contrast, the SNP campaigned tirelessly for these powers to be taken out of the hands of the Tories, and are working to build a system which has dignity and respect as its core principles."