GREEN MSPs are calling on Scottish ministers to guarantee the full mitigation of a UK-wide cap on benefits which limits the amount of financial support that a household can receive. 

The Tory policy caps the amount of social security one can receive, regardless of the level of need.

Child poverty campaigners have previously said that scrapping the cap would move 150,000 children out of poverty across the UK.

The latest call came as new figures showed that 7,000 families are currently losing an average of up to £56 per week through the cap.

Earlier this month, Holyrood backed Scottish Green Party proposals committing to “exploring funding options to end the benefit cap.”

Green social security spokeswoman Maggie Chapman MSP said: “The cap takes over £200 a month out of the pockets of our poorest families, and we cannot meet Scotland’s challenging child poverty reduction targets without reversing this injustice.

“Parliament has requested the Scottish government examines plans to end this inhumane policy and it must act, and quickly.”