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RUTH Davidson was accused of hypocrisy last night after she demanded the Scottish Government do more for disabled people.

The Scottish Tory leader sparked outrage by ignoring her party’s years of cuts to call for action from Nicola Sturgeon when welfare powers are devolved to Holyrood.

Experts say disabled people have been badly hurt by changes to PIP payments and the introduction of the bedroom tax.

But Davidson made no reference to that as she welcomed the new welfare powers being transferred to Edinburgh.

She said: “Among those new powers, the Parliament will be able to create new benefits in devolved areas and top up UK-wide benefits, including universal credit, tax credits and child benefit.

“I hope that that will start a new phase in the Scottish Government’s approach to welfare … spending less time complaining about UK Government policy and more time spelling out what they intend to do with the powers they now have.

(Image: PA Wire)

“We should include a dedicated employment programme for disabled people and a clear ambition to halve the disability employment gap.”

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale hit back: “The barefaced cheek in saying the Government must do more for disabled people is outrageous.

"Every year that Ruth Davidson’s party have been in government, they have attacked the rights and opportunities of disabled people. It must stop.”

SNP MSP Christine McKelvie said: “Ruth Davidson must think people in Scotland are zipped up the back if she thinks the Tories can become the champions of disabled people.

“If she wants to stand up for disabled people, she should start by picking up the phone to her colleagues in Westminster.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone has written to Sturgeon demanding she use the new powers which have been devolved to Scotland

She said: “For years, both the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens have criticised the UK Government for cutting support for those most in need. Up until now, that’s all that we’ve been able to do: criticise.

“But from today, we can do something about it.

“Whether it’s by out-and-out cuts like the shameful impending £30 reduction to Employment Support Allowance, or by secretive changes to the way rates are calculated, we no longer have to accept that Scots will be worse off.”

MSPs continued debating the programme for government at Holyrood yesterday. It includes plans for a Social Security Act among 14 new bills.