THE SNP Scottish government said today it would “look at every lever” to avoid passing on welfare cuts in the wake of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Spring Statement.

Ms Reeves’s announcement of £5 billion in cuts is not only expected to slash support for three million families on incapacity benefits, and cut personal independence payments (PIP) for 800,000, but, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute, will also cut the Scottish government’s budget by £900 million by the end of the decade.

For SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison this presents a double challenge, as she faces the prospect of a shrinking block grant while deciding on whether to maintain the eligibility criteria and value of PIP’s Scottish equivalent, the adult disability payment.