Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 March 2026 [Draft]
05 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Social Security Scotland Investigations
Here is a reality check for John Swinney. Last year, my party revealed that Social Security Scotland had referred just 29 cases of potential fraud to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. On the basis of the level of fraud across the United Kingdom, that number should be in the thousands.
Today, we can reveal another shocking fact. Under the SNP’s new benefits system, just three people have been convicted for fraud-related offences since 2022. Out of the almost 1 million people who claim benefits in Scotland, just three people have been convicted of such offences. That is unbelievable.
On the basis of our evidence, does John Swinney agree that the SNP has, in effect, decriminalised benefit fraud in Scotland?
In the same item of business
1. Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
John Swinney personally backed Sally Donald to become a new Scottish National Party member of the Scottish Parliament. At her glitzy campaign fundraiser, he ...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
I am going to do my level best to answer the questions that Russell Findlay has put to me, as I always do, but I am not going to talk about individual cases,...
Russell Findlay
Con
John Swinney’s star candidate used a crowdfunder to raise more than £1,200 for her campaign. Interruption.
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
We are going to hear Mr Findlay.
Russell Findlay
Con
Anyone who is daft enough to trust the SNP with their cash needs to give their head a wobble.However, I am more interested in taxpayers’ money. That case ill...
The First Minister
SNP
Yes, I stand by those comments because I believe that to be the case.I cannot be the only person who is surprised that Russell Findlay has not managed to mak...
Russell Findlay
Con
Here is a reality check for John Swinney. Last year, my party revealed that Social Security Scotland had referred just 29 cases of potential fraud to the Cro...
The First Minister
SNP
I reiterate what I said in my answer to Mr Findlay’s second question: the system is working, because investigations take place when they are required. There ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear one another.
The First Minister
SNP
—is that Russell Findlay and the Tories, with their credentials as the nasty party of Scottish politics properly restored, are going after vulnerable people ...
Russell Findlay
Con
I remember the old John Swinney, who preached about being respectful in here. The mask has again slipped and he has gone back to the angry John Swinney who r...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear one another.
Russell Findlay
Con
The party of gravy-bus grifters and camper-van capers mugs its own members and robs the taxpayers of Scotland. It has built a benefits system that shouts, “F...
The First Minister
SNP
I am always respectful in my engagement in Parliament, and I will not apologise for setting out some hard truths to the Tory party.I did not conjure up the d...