Protesters campaigning against the ‘bedroom tax’ were angered when neither of Dundee’s two MSPs were available to hear their grievances.
“Bin the Bedroom Tax” had organised a protest of 20 people outside the offices of SNP members Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison.
They had hoped to gain the MSPs’ support in their organisation’s call for an amendment to section 16 of the Scottish Housing Act, which would rule out evictions in Scotland for rent arrears arising from the tax.
However, protesters were angry to find that Mr FitzPatrick, who represents Dundee West, had chosen to go campaigning for the Aberdeen Donside by-election instead of attending his scheduled surgery.
Ms Robison was away from Dundee on ministerial business, according to her spokesman.
“We had 20 people outside the surgery and a very significant number of them are Dundee West constituents who had come to speak to the MSP,” said Philip Stott, who had helped organise the protest.
“There’s an amount of annoyance that he was not there.”
A spokesman for Mr FitzPatrick and Ms Robison insisted both MSPs had made adequate arrangements to ensure all constituents affected by the bedroom tax could be met.
In addition, both members have agreed to meet the protesters on Friday.
Mr FitzPatrick said in a statement: “We share the anger of our constituents with the UK Government’s bedroom tax which is disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable in our society and penalising many households through no fault of their own.
“It is clear that the bedroom tax will cause real hardship for those families affected by it. The risk is that households will be unable to make up their rent payments and will accrue greater and greater rent arrears, and be forced deeper into debt.”
Both MSPs organised a joint consultation into the effects of the bedroom tax in April.
“Our campaign is well aware of the SNP’s approach to the bedroom tax, but it’s now about putting empty words into action,” said Mr Stott.
Mrs Robison said: “The Scottish Government is doing what it can to help mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s damaging welfare reforms, topping up with £9 million the social fund which will now be administered by Scotland’s local councils.
“Due to the Scottish Government’s sound management of its budget, underspends in any given year are wholly reinvested in services the following year, ensuring that not a single penny is returned to Westminster,” she added.
The SNP has committed to repeal the bedroom tax as part of its welfare policy if elected to govern Scotland after a Yes vote.