THE Scottish government has spent around £1.2 billion in the past 14 years mitigating the impacts of Westminster’s welfare reforms, official figures say.

More than £631 million was spent in the past five financial years for support for those affected by the bedroom tax and benefit cap introduced in 2010.

Responding to a written parliamentary question, the government added that £905.6m was invested in the Scottish Child Payment between February 2021 and September 2024.

“While we are doing what we can within our limited powers and fixed budget, the UK government must do more to ensure the UK social security system at least covers essential living costs,” it said.

The Scottish government was however urged to improve the NHS estate after data obtained by Scottish Labour revealed more than £4m has been spent on pest control in the past five years.

The party’s freedom of information requests to the country’s 14 regional health boards found the health service has spent £4.3m on pest control since 2019.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s spend was the highest at £2.1m.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “These figures tell a story of a constant battle to keep our crumbling hospitals and clinics safe from pests.

“The UK Labour government delivered a record Budget settlement for Scotland, including funding for NHS capital projects — the SNP must make sure every penny goes to improving our NHS estate.”

The Scottish government’s Budget last month set aside more than £1bn in capital spending for the NHS.

A Holyrood spokesman said Westminster “must approve our Budget Bill to unlock investment to drive the progress — and the healthier population — that we all want to see.”