Anger at Reeves welfare axe plan

Swinney fury as he fears cuts by Chancellor will hit the poorest

- BY ANDREW QUINN

JOHN Swinney has hit out at plans by Rachel Reeves to slash billions from the welfare bill as she tries to balance the books.

The Chancellor's room for fiscal manoeuvre is believed to have been wiped out by global turmoil and sluggish economic growth.

The First Minister has said he is "troubled" by the plans as speculation over public spending cuts in the Spring Statement mounted.

Government sources revealed yesterday that "the world has changed" since the Budget in October.

It was indicated then that Reeves had £9.9billion available to spend - but this is set to disappear due to Donald Trump's tariffs, higher inflation and increased borrowing costs.