Poll shows that benefits cap more popular in Scotland

A poll has shown that the Coalition's benefits cap is even more popular in Scotland than in other parts of the UK.

Almost 69 per cent of those polled by YouGov in England and Wales support a cap at or below the level set by the Government - in Scotland that figure rises to 72 per cent.

Tonight the House of Lords will vote on the Government's Benefit Cap which will ensure no family can get more in benefits than the average family earns by going out to work - or £26,000 per year.

David Mundell MP said:

"Labour left the welfare system in a mess, with too many people better off out of work and on benefits than if they entered the world of work.

"For too long, generations of people have been languishing on benefits with no hope of employment.

"Changes have to be made to make the annual benefits bill more affordable and part of this ongoing process is about making work pay.

"It's not fair that benefit claimants can receive higher incomes than families who are in work, in some cases more than double the average household income.

"That's why we're introducing a cap on benefits – so that no family can get more on benefits than the average family does by going out to work.

"The benefit cap will not affect the disabled or those who work and receive working tax credits. There is no reason for anyone to be made homeless by our reforms when they can still receive the equivalent in benefits that someone in work would have to earn £35,000 a year to make.

"The cap is an essential measure to restore fairness to our welfare system while ensuring that support goes to those who need it."

Polling by YouGov shows that strong support for the policy across the UK is strongest in Scotland. 68.75 per cent of those polled in England and Wales support a cap at or below the level set by the Coalition Government - in Scotland that figure rises to 72 per cent. Opposition to the idea of a benefit cap is low across the UK, but lowest in Scotland.

· Out-right opposition to a benefits cap: 8.75 per cent on average in England and Wales; 7 per cent in Scotland.

· Support of a benefits cap at or below the level set by the Coalition Government: 68.75 per cent average in England and Wales; 72 per cent in Scotland.

The results of the poll can be found here:

http://cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/hh5s3uvxu7/YG-Archives-MaxBenefits-200112.pdf

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