Benefits system being 'abused on an industrial scale', says Findlay

The Scottish Conservative leader says he will cut taxes by reducing what he described as an “out of control” benefits system which he claimed was being “abused on an industrial scale”.

Speaking on Scotland Tonight: Meet the Leaders, Russell Findlay said he wanted to cut income tax and would fund it by introducing new restrictions on adult mental health benefit claims, as well as introducing a two‑child limit for the Scottish Child Payment.

He said: “We as the Scottish Conservative party value the fact we have a social security safety net but it’s gone too far.

“The SNP have created a light touch system. They brag about this but it’s being abused on an industrial scale, and we think it’s right that if you’ve got a mental health diagnosis or a mental health benefit claim you should have a mental health diagnosis from a medical professional.”

When asked if introducing a two‑child limit on the Scottish Child Payment would lead to more children being in poverty, he said: “I disagree. We’re on the right side of public opinion with this. I believe this firmly as a

Conservative the best way to live people out of poverty isn’t to trap them on benefits; it’s to reward hard work and incentivise work.”

Education

On education, the Scottish Conservative leader said he wanted to give head teachers the power to expel disruptive pupils, as well as introduce a ban on mobile phones in classrooms.

Findlay said: “What teachers are being forced to put up with in the classrooms is absolutely diabolical. Is there a single MSP at Holyrood who would accept it as a hazard of the job that you might be assaulted while you’re going about your business? Absolutely not so why should teachers be any different. Those who are seriously disruptive should be removed from the classroom.”

“You just need some basic standards of discipline – if a pupil misbehaves sufficiently badly and continues to disrupt people or even worse assaults teachers which in in my day would be unheard of but now it’s now happening routinely. Teachers deserve to be protected – head teachers ought to have the power to remove pupils and while we’re at it remove mobile phones from this classroom.”

Justice

On justice, the Scottish Conservatives say they want to increase the number of police officers, end early release for prisoners, and send prisoners abroad to address overcrowding.

Findlay said: “First and foremost the SNP government have failed to build prison capacity -right now they’re building a prison for a billion pounds in Glasgow.

“But because of that failure the SNP are releasing thousands of prisoners early.

“In each of those cases a sheriff or a judge has passed a sentence on the basis of the crime that was committed and the SNP have just torn those sentences up and we’re saying that’s not acceptable.

“What we would do is ensure that criminals who have been sentenced would be sent overseas to complete their sentences. For example the model that we’ve cited is Sweden who have done a deal with Estonia to send prisoners there to complete their time.”

Party prospects

The Scottish Conservatives won 31 MSPs at the 2021 election, making them the second‑largest party at Holyrood. Current polls suggest they could fall to fifth place.

Despite this, Findlay says “anything is possible” but admits his party has to be “realistic”.

“I would do a lot better job than the incumbent and if someone like Humza Yousaf can be First Minister then why shouldn’t I?

“The only poll that matters is the one on May the 7th.

“I’m optimistic but realistic. It’s like saying to a football manager at the start of the season you’ll never win the league why bother getting on the pitch?”