Sick and disabled Scots receive up to three times less than those in other small countries
dailyrecord.co.ukThe UK spends a lower percentage of its GDP on financial support for disabled people and sick workers than any other country in north-west Europe, the SNP has claimed.Only 1.3 per cent of British GDP was spent on incapacity benefits in 2020 - a rate three and a half times less than Norway and Denmark, which spent 4.5 per cent in 2019.Incapacity benefits include disability benefits, sick pay and government spending on occupational injury and disease.Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Switzerland all spent more than double the amount the UK does on incapacity support as a proportion of GDP in 2019.Luxembourg, Germany and Austria spent proportionately more in 2019, while France also did so in 2020.The House of Commons Library analysis is based on data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).The figures are the most recent year available for each country.SNP spokesperson for Equalities Kirsten Oswald said the UK Government should raise sick pay and make sure that benefits meet the cost of livingShe said:"The UK is trailing behind our European neighbours when it comes to the low levels of support Westminster offers to disabled people and workers who get sick or injured."Only with the full powers of independence can Scotland build a fairer system, with strong protections for disabled people.
The social security safety net should be there for all of us in our time of need, and it's a scandal so many are left behind under Westminster control."The SNP is the only party offering a fairer society with independence - and real help with the cost of living.
In contrast, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer must explain why they back cruel cuts, and a damaging Brexit, that are ripping
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