SCOTTISH Labour leader Anas Sarwar must “take a stand” against any proposals for welfare cuts from their colleagues in Westminster, the Greens have urged.

Mr Sarwar was issued the challenge by Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman amid growing concern that Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering swingeing cuts to social security spending in a bid to cling on to her “fiscal rules” on tax and borrowing.

Warning this would be a “continuation of the same cruel and unnecessary Tory policies,” Ms Chapman said: “Is this what they meant when they campaigned for change?

“During the election Anas Sarwar could not have been clearer.

“He told us to ‘read his lips’ and promised that there would be no more austerity under Labour.

“Did he know what was coming or has he been taken for a fool by Keir Starmer?

“Anas Sarwar represents some of the most marginalised and deprived communities in our country.

“It is time for him to take a stand and make clear that Scottish Labour MPs were elected by promising an end to austerity and that they will not back further cuts. Austerity is a choice.”

Stating the Scottish block grant had been boosted by £5.2 billion in October’s Budget, Scottish Labour Social Security spokesman Paul O’Kane hit back:“They can’t pretend this record funding settlement is austerity.

“Scottish Labour fully supports reinstating Winter Fuel Payments to create a fairer system for pensioners in need and lifting the two-child cap, both of which are possible in Scotland thanks to Labour’s Budget.”