THE impact of the UK Welfare Reform Bill could be so severe in Scotland that Holyrood should consider legislation of its own, MSPs have suggested.
If MSPs sought to deny legislative consent to the Bill, Westminster could simply enact it anyway, so the Health and Sport Committee suggests a better way of dealing with the knock-on effects could be fresh legislation at Holyrood.
However, the committee report admits that doing this in time for the introduction of the UK reforms could be difficult.
Duncan McNeil, Labour convener of the committee, said: "Many witnesses voiced serious concerns and strong criticism about the changes to the UK benefits system proposed in the Welfare Reform Bill.
"While many of these arise due to lack of detailed information about the forthcoming changes they cannot be ignored, which is why we have asked the Scottish Government how tenable it would be to bring forward legislation to address them."
Entitlements such as free school meals are triggered by UK benefit rules so sweeping changes to the system have a knock-on effect which have cost and other implications, particularly for local government.
SNP deputy convener Bob Doris said: "The committee doesn't underestimate the challenge which the £2.5 billion cut to welfare benefits in Scotland presents.
"Many vulnerable people will turn to local authorities, voluntary organisations and their local citizens advice bureau for advice and support when they don't know where to turn. The committee believes that the UK Government should provide additional resources for these advice and advocacy services."
The report recommendation that "it is appropriate for the Scottish Parliament to scutinise these changes, particularly where they will impact directly on areas of devolved policy" amounts to a call for a standing committee of MSPs to monitor the benefits system – a controversial move on the issue.
Mr Doris added: "It is essential the Scottish Parliament continues to scrutinise these reforms and looks closely at any proposals that come forward.
"That is why a majority of the committee backed the calls from Scotland's third sector for a parliamentary committee devoted to welfare and benefits issues, to keep an eye on the actions of the UK and on the impact in Scotland.
"This is the first time a committee has recom- mended rejecting a piece of Westminster legislation, a move that shows how out of touch the Tory/LibDem Government is with the concerns of the people of Scotland."
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