To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the potential impact of the United Kingdom Government’s spring statement on the Scottish budget. (S6O-04534)

As I set out to the Parliament yesterday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has caused a great deal of concern across Scotland with her decision in the UK spring statement to short-change public services and deliver cuts to some of the most vulnerable in our society. I called on the UK Government to reject the failed approach of austerity, but, although the UK Government might deny it, for many people, this looks and feels like austerity. We are considering the impacts on Scotland’s public finances, and I will set out more detail in the medium-term financial strategy at the end of May.

Given that organisations are saying that, by 2030, the poorest 10 per cent will get poorer and the richest 10 per cent will get richer, what analysis has the Scottish Government conducted of the increase in inequality in Scotland as a result of the Labour Government’s spring statement, which takes from the poor while protecting the rich? Is it not now apparent that the only way to create a fairer Scotland is through independence?

Kevin Stewart is absolutely right. We are considering the impact of the UK Government’s planned cuts to welfare policies on Scotland. It is clear from the UK Government’s impact assessment that 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will be pushed into relative poverty by 2029-30. That is likely to increase inequality, and it is shameful.

As I said to the Parliament yesterday, we will strain every sinew to protect disabled people from this deplorable action by the UK Government. We are committed to eliminating child poverty, but that job is being made harder by the actions of the UK Government.