Women in Scotland are facing a “precarious” financial future as figures show they face the brunt of coalition welfare cuts, campaigners have warned.
Research by the House of Commons library revealed more than two thirds of the £4 billion welfare cuts coming to Scotland over the next two years will fall on women.
The cuts fall disproportionately on females as they are more likely to rely on state help through the likes of pension and tax credits for the low paid.
SNP Work and Pensions spokeswoman, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP, said: “The Westminster Government has an appalling track record when it comes to women so it comes as no surprise to see that women will bear the brunt of 69% of Tory welfare cuts this year.”
The research shows that with budget cuts in Scotland scheduled of around £4 billion by 2016, women will face a cut in cash terms of just under £2.8 billion.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “There are record numbers of women in work in Scotland and female employment rates are back to near pre-recession levels.
“Our reforms are about transforming the lives of the poorest.”
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