This week, the

Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser brought to my attention the heartbreaking case of 17-year-old Kyle Laird from Coatbridge, whose mother unexpectedly passed away over the festive season. Kyle’s mother was a lone parent and he is now financially responsible for himself and his family home. Kyle is actively seeking work but is struggling to make ends meet due to gaps in the benefits system. What support can the Scottish Government give to Kyle and to other young people who have no parental support—and qualify for only limited support through the benefits system—to remain in their own homes?

First, I am sure that we all want to convey our condolences to Kyle on the passing of his mother and the dreadful, heartbreaking situation that he now finds himself in.

I do not know all the details of Kyle’s circumstances; I would be happy to ask the social security minister and indeed the economy minister to speak to the member to see whether there is any support that the Scottish Government could provide or point Kyle to.

Everybody knows my concerns about the operation of the benefits system; I visited Start Up Stirling yesterday, which is a fantastic organisation that is doing a great amount of work, principally around food support for people who have fallen victim of the benefits system. I spoke to two individuals in particular who told me about the problems that universal credit, in their case, had created for them.

The benefits system—the welfare system—in any country should be a safety net. It should be there to support people and help people in times of need, not push them further into poverty. Unfortunately, all too often, it is doing the latter rather than the former. Perhaps the case that has just been raised is an example of that. I would be very happy to have ministers look into Kyle’s particular situation and I am sure that we all wish him the very best.