According to “shocking figures” released by MSP Dr Richard Simpson, more than 5000 children in Clackmannanshire are at risk from Tory cuts to tax credits.

Chancellor George Osborne recently revealed that he has identified how the UK Conservative Government will slash the promised £12bn from the welfare bill and he is expected to announce the bulk of savings in his budget today (Wednesday 7 July).

The Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife blasted the Tory plans and is also urging the SNP Government at Holyrood to adopt Scottish Labour plans to tackle poverty.

He said: “During the general election the Prime Minister promised the ‘good life’ for families, but now he plans to cut vital support for families in Clackmannanshire, Scotland and across the UK.

“With thousands of families in Scotland struggling from week to week the absolute last people the Chancellor should target is low income families, but instead his plans to slash welfare puts over three thousand families in Clackmannanshire, and 5500 children at risk.

“The last Labour Government introduced tax credits to tackle working poverty, and it worked. There are thousands of people in Clackmannanshire who can attest to that.” The MSP said new figures show that over 200,000 Scottish children live in poverty, adding: “on what planet does slashing tax credits help those kids?” He called on the SNP in Edinburgh to stand up for these families and back his party’s plans to extend the living wage to more low paid jobs and support plans to ban rip-off rent rises.

He concluded: “Families in Clackmannanshire need action, not warm words from the Scottish Government.” However, SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Keith Brown has hit back at Dr Richard Simpson and Labour. He said: “The SNP in government has taken strong action where we can to mitigate against the worst of Westminster’s cuts – including paying everyone on government contracts the living wage.

“We have consistently argued for full powers over the economy and social security to allow us to create a fairer system which supports and empowers people who need help rather than punishing them as the Tories are doing.

“Unfortunately for people living in poverty in Scotland, Labour have time and time again trooped through the lobbies with the Tories at Westminster to stop full economic powers being delivered to the Scottish Parliament – meaning working poor and vulnerable people in Scotland continue to be at the mercy of the savage cuts agenda of George Osborne and David Cameron.

“Until Labour change their ludicrous position of preferring to have powers over the minimum wage and the economy held by the Tories at Westminster, rather than in Scotland’s hands, any claims they make on poverty will fall on deaf ears.

“This is breathtaking hypocrisy from Dr Richard Simpson considering the Labour Party stood side by side with the Tories at Westminster less than six months ago, on 13 January, to support £30 billion in cuts - including £12 billion to the welfare system.

“Perhaps he should take this up with his party’s leadership before attacking the SNP who stood firmly against austerity - after all actions speak louder than words.”