We all know the poorest will be hardest-hit by the Tories’ cuts.
Yesterday, a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, with some stark figures, summed up the challenge our working poor face.
It found those earning the national minimum wage are falling short of what is considered to be “an acceptable living standard”.
The situation is even worse among people who rely on social security with single people £109 short of an acceptable living standard, while lone parents with one child are £117 short and couples with two children are as much as £196 short.
So much for the Tory claim that their social security changes are a route out of poverty.
Ahead of next week’s budget, organisations including the STUC, churches, many charities and all four of the UK children’s commissioners have lined up to plead with the UK Government to halt its plans for a further, massive £12 billion in cuts to welfare.
A report to the United Nations by the UK children’s commissioners said: “The best interests of children were not central to the development of these policies.
“Reductions to household income for poorer children as a result of tax and social security benefit changes have led to food and fuel poverty and the sharply increased use of crisis foodbank provision by families.”
After days of debating the Scotland Bill in the House of Commons, the Tories have refused to accept a single SNP amendment on welfare.
The Scottish Government is doing what it can to tackle poverty, such as building affordable homes, attracting inward investment to create jobs and encouraging employers to pay the living wage.
However, it has one hand tied behind its back. Many leading voices have directly linked the need for greater devolution of welfare powers to Holyrood to tackling poverty.
How much longer can this go on? It certainly doesn’t feel like a Respect Agenda to me, or democracy. It certainly can’t for the thousands of families all over Scotland struggling each day to afford to live.