Labour 'not proposing' to devolve more benefits to Scotland if party wins power at Westminster

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Labour MP campaigning to reform the DWP has said he is not considering devolving more benefits to Scotland.Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow work and pensions secretary, has been tasked by Keir Starmer with improving the UK's social security system if his party wins power next year.Most benefits remain reserved to Westminster but some have been devolved to Holyrood over the last decade.In an interview with the Record, Ashworth claimed Social Security Scotland was in "as much chaos as the SNP".It was revealed this week the number of complaints received by the devolved benefits agency has risen ten fold in the last year.Ashworth said his background meant he was "passionate" about delivering a social security system that worked."I grew up in a working class family in north Manchester and I remember what it was like when my dad was jobless," he said."I remember going to the dole office with him as a child and the haunted looks in those queuing up."I know a government offering a platform to people is absolutely vital.

It's about transforming life chances."Ashworth added: "You've got the leadership at Holyrood asking Scots to pay the price of their incompetence."There's a ten-fold increase in complaints around the social security system.

That suggests to me the Scottish social security system is in as much chaos as the SNP."The Record revealed last month how IT costs for the devolved benefits agency are projected to soar by another £26m.

A deal struck after the 2014 referendum led to a suite of benefits getting devolved to Holyrood, including lifeline payments for disabled people, carers, parents and the elderly.