Scots relying on benefits are facing "destitution" as they face crippling sanctions on their monthly benefits, an SNP MP has warned.
Figures obtained by Chris Stephens from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that a total of £2.3 million was clawed back from claimants in Scotland in August this year - an average of £250 per household sanctioned.
The constituency worst hit was Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath where a total of £82,000 was taken from households through sanctions in just one month.
Dundee West was second with a total of £81,000 lost to claimants.
Stephens, who has campaigned for benefits reform, wants the UK Government to instead adopt a "Yellow Card" system that would issue a written warning instead of hitting people in the pocket.
Sanction rates have risen after a Covid amnesty was lifted and Tory ministers tightened work search rules. Previously, claimants who worked fewer than nine hours a week on minimum wage were told to search for more work, or face a sanction.
That threshold was raised to 12 hours in September, and is rising again to 15 hours in January.
Last week the Autumn Statement revealed a further 600,000 people - already working up to 35 hours a week - will be told to look for more hours, or risk face a sanction.
Stephens, the MP for Glasgow South West, said: "While some MPs are calling for even tighter sanctions, these figures show the devastating impact of the existing regime on people’s ability to feed themselves and fend off destitution.
"If you look at the combined impact of this Destitution Tax, alongside the Poverty Tax of deductions from Universal Credit, almost £2 billion a year is being taken from the poorest people across these islands."
Andrew Forsey, director of the Feeding Britain charity, which runs the Good Food Scotland programme, said: "Deductions and sanctions are two of the main recruiting sergeants for food banks.
"In response to these appalling figures, the DWP should act on the concerns of its Serious Case Panel and immediately roll out a ‘Yellow Card’ warning policy to protect people from destitution".
A DWP spokesperson said: "People are only sanctioned if they fail, without good reason, to meet the conditions they agree, and emphasis is placed on protecting vulnerable claimants.
"Our priority is to help people to find and stay in work and the latest figures show the majority of sanctions were applied due to claimants failing to attend mandatory appointments with their Work Coach.
"If a claimant disagrees with a sanction, they can ask for this to be reconsidered and can appeal to an independent tribunal."
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