# Scotland rules out freezing devolved benefits as spending rises to £7.9bn

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/jenny-gilruth-takes-freezing-benefit-payment-rates-off-the-table-despite-soaring-costs/
- Published: 2026-10-28T19:33:07+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T19:52:30+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16246977/Gilruth-SNP-not-freezing-benefit-payment-rates-soaring-bill.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Gilruth ruled out freezing Scotland’s devolved benefit rates.
- Social security spending is projected to reach £7.9 billion next year.
- Scotland’s Budget is due in December, with tax plans still unclear.

## Summary

Jenny Gilruth, Scotland’s Finance Secretary, has ruled out freezing devolved benefit payment rates in the Scottish Budget due in December. She said the Government would maintain its approach to social security, which it says is founded on dignity and respect, as projected spending continues to rise.

Official projections put Scottish social security spending at £6.7 billion last year, £7.4 billion this year and £7.9 billion next year. Gilruth also declined to say whether tax rates might change, but pledged £100 energy bill support for eligible households in council tax bands A to D, matching the UK scheme. The UK Government says Scotland will receive an extra £600 million, while the Scottish Government describes its 2027-28 funding as a real-terms cut of £650 million.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.