A Conservative MSP has sparked a row at Holyrood with her defence of controversial welfare reforms.

Michelle Ballantyne came under fire after arguing that the two-child cap on child tax credits was "about fairness".

She said that "it is fair that people on benefits cannot have as many children as they like" while those in work "have to make decisions" on this.

SNP MSP Tom Arthur described this as "offensive" and "one of the most disgraceful speeches I've ever heard".

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Mr Griffin says with arrears still growing, there should be further improvements.

The Labour MSP says he watched Michelle Ballantyne's controversial contribution in the chamber on child tax credits a couple of weeks ago.

As one of four children from a hard working family, at 37 his dad was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and was unable to work, explains Mr Griffin.

"Who plans for these situations?"

He cites the workers of Michelin finding out about the plans to close the factory.

"Where is the support network? Where is the state support children depend on day in day out when circumstances change beyond anyone's comprehension?"

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Labour MSP Mark Griffin calls for cross-party talks on what can be done right now to help people in poverty.

He critcises the UK government for its recent announcement, claiming these are a "set of fudges" which won't help.

People need help now, not rhetoric or promises from the DWP that will take years to implement the Labour MSP says.

MPs must halt the Tories managed migration to Universal Credit because "there is nothing managed about it".

Mr Griffin backs a child benefit top-up and boosts to payments for the disabled.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Ms Ballantyne says: "The UK government is not just making sure the work pays, but that it pays more."

She highlights the £1bn announced by Philip Hammond to help with the transition.

The Tory MSP also says there will be a larger breathing pace to allow people to get on top of their finances.

Managed migration will not take longer to ensure a smooth transition, she insists.

"Where there are issues the UK government is working to resolve them."

Ms Ballantyne insists work is the best route out of poverty and Universal Credit is the right vehicle to get more people into employment.

She points to a record employment as evidence of it being the right approach.

"The United Kingdom and Universal Credit are working," she states.

Ms Somerville argues the increase in employment is a result of a higher population and also goes on to criticise poor employment practice.

Ms Ballantyne says "of course Universal Credit has its problems", but one of its strengths is its "test and learn approach".

Image source, AFP

Philip Hammond has said the "era of austerity is finally coming to an end", in his last Budget before Brexit.

He spent a windfall from better public finances on more money for universal credit and bringing forward planned income tax cuts by a year.

The chancellor had been under pressure from Labour and some Tory MPs to put more money into universal credit, amid warnings it could push people into destitution.

He announced an extra £1bn over five years to help those moving to the new payments, which will replace six in-work benefits, and a £1,000 increase in the amount people can earn before losing benefits, at a cost of up to £1.7bn a year.

He claimed the changes - reversing cuts made in previous Budgets - would make 2.4 million working people and people with disabilities £630 a year better off.

Read more about the Budget 2018.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne says much of the rhetoric, once again, has inferred the legacy systems Universal Credit replaces were working well.

"This is simply not the case," says Ms Ballantyne

"As a system it was far too complex."

She says: "Universal Credit is the bold reform we need."

It is a system that reflects working life as it is and helps those out of poverty and into work, she elucidates.

Image source, Getty Images

"It is simply beyond comprehension that our welfare system, which is supposed to be a safety net, has become so punitive that it is driving people to destitution," the social security secretary states.

Ms Somerville insists Universal Credit must be fixed now, not have the smallest of sticking plasters put in place in future years.

We are using the powers we have to ensure people who receive Universal Credit have more choice, such as the option to have housing payments may directly to landlords, she says.

The minister confirms an announcement on split payments will be made in due course.

Concluding, Ms Somerville insists we cannot get ourselves into a position where the Scottish government is expected to take money from other budgets to "paper over the cracks" of the UK government system.

Image source, bbc

Ms Somerville says: "While we try to lift people out of poverty the Conservative government is determined to push more people into poverty."

"We are fighting poverty with one hand behind our back."

New figures from he Trussell Trust show a 15% increase in Scottish foodbank use, she says.

The social security secretary insists: "The fact that Universal Credit is causing avoidable and necessary harm is beyond doubt."

She says the two child cap policy and the "rape clause" are completely unacceptable, deeply harmful and fundamental breach of human rights.

"In June it was revealed by the DWP that 190 women, across the UK, had to fill in an eight page form to prove that their child was conceived as the result of rape, in order to receive the financial support their child was entitled to."

"That is a disgrace," says the social security secretary.

Reality Check

Image source, Getty Images

Universal credit has proved controversial almost from the beginning, with reports of IT issues, massive overspends and administrative problems.

It's being rolled out across the UK. But now concerns are being raised that 3.2 million working families will lose £48 a week - about £2,500 a year- compared with the old system.

The system has been made significantly less generous since it was announced.

Read more.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville begins by saying poverty is an urgent and pressing human rights concern which needs to be dealt with.

Child poverty is set to rise because of the UK government's cuts, she argues.

The cabinet secretary says despite some improvements to work allowances, the major changes we called for have not been made and more people will be driven into poverty.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins asks how the Scottish government plans to use its powers to top up benefits.

Ms Somerville retorts with a question on what the Tories would cut from the Scottish budget in order to use such powers.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville is leading a debate on universal credit and welfare cuts.

During first minister's questions last week, Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the announcements relating the universal credit in the Budget but said they did not go far enough.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Image source, bbc

Community Safety Ash Denham replies saying she will not tolerate any attacks on our emergency workers.

The minister says she is aware of some reports of anti-social behaviour and attacks on emergency workers this year.

She gives thanks to the emergency services following their busiest night.

Mr Johnson tells the chamber watch managers have described "war zone type situations" where firefighters have been attacked with fireworks.

He highlights the "Don't attack me campaign" and asks for the number of attacks last night.

She says: "We don't have the full data from last night."

Image source, Getty Images

Experienced firefighters have told of their fears for the safety of crews as they prepare for Bonfire Night.

One watch manager said an incident on 5 November last year was like entering "a war zone".

It was among a number of incidents involving disorder and fire-starting - one of which resulted in serious injury to a police officer in Edinburgh.

The concerns have been raised as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launches its #DoNotAttackMe campaign.

The campaign condemns the abuse of firefighters as they go about their duties.

Read more.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson asks about protecting emergency workers during the firework season, in light of the reported increase in levels of violence and intimidation that they face at this time of year.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says the sub-committee will have informed people on it and suggests the fact they are considering such reductions reflects problems within the health board.

He asks about the process for making decisions and when conclusions will be reached.

Ms Freeman says if major changes are to be made, they will be referred to her for a final decision.

The board has not yet said when a decision may be taken, given recent "enhancements to the context in which they are working", she adds.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Mark Ruskell says the chair of NHS Tayside has said any changes will only improve the quality of healthcare.

Mr Ruskell asks if there is any health board that has improved services with such a large reduction in its workforce.

Ms Freeman insists NHS Tayside has not made any level of staff reduction.

They have looked at where staff are best placed to respond to the needs of our service users, she says.