Rutherglen's MSP has slammed the Westminster government - and claimed locals are being hit in the pocket due to its "brutal" policies.
Clare Haughey, the Scottish Government's children's minister, has stated that Scottish Government funds are having to be spent to make up for shortfalls from the Conservatives.
New figures revealed in the Scottish Parliament by the SNP say a total of £594 million has been earmarked in the coming year to cope with mitigating the impact of decisions taken by the UK Government.
Of that figure, £39.4m is slated to be used in South Lanarkshire.
The figures will cover areas such as improving green jobs in the area, Funding for Discretionary Housing Payments to fully mitigate losses as a result of the "bedroom tax" and investing in organisations that promote equality and human rights.
Rutherglen MSP Ms Haughey stated: "“To better protect people in South Lanarkshire from brutal Tory policies and inaction in key areas, the Scottish Government is having to commit an estimated £600m Scotland-wide this year on local priorities.
"But this doesn’t give the full picture, the Scottish Government is also spending £3.5 billion a year on social security benefits which is not covered by these statistics – putting money into the pockets of the most vulnerable in our society.
"This is a substantial hit on the Scottish Government’s restricted budget – amounting to around £109 per person - which could instead be spent on better helping Rutherglen and Cambuslang families through the cost of living crisis.
"The Scottish Government is supporting local residents with one hand tied behind its back as they are continually having to commit eye-watering amounts simply to right the wrongs of the Tories’ austerity agenda at Westminster."
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