Senior officials at the Tory Government’s benefits-cutting department have pocketed over £1m in bonuses.
Civil servants were rewarded for their performance, even though critics believe the DWP has increased poverty.
SNP MSP Shona Robison said: “This is a really bad look and the UK government should look twice at a system that rewards senior officials while punishing those dependent on their service.
“After a decade of Tory austerity, families in Scotland deserve better.”
The DWP has been at the forefront of the Cameron, May and Johnson Governments’ drive to cut social security.
Universal Credit was supposed to streamline the benefits system, but it was underfunded and ended up plunging people into debt.
Lifeline benefits such as child benefit were frozen at the same time as taxes were cut for the rich.
Disabled people also had to pass strict ‘fit to work’ tests that were overseen by profit making companies.
More than 4million people in the UK are trapped in deep poverty and child poverty levels in Scotland have soared to 240,000.
However, top DWP mandarins have pocketed bonuses for their efforts.
In 2017/18, senior officials scooped £595,392 in “end of year” top-ups and another £544,745 in the following year.
Job Seeker’s Allowance for the unemployed is paid at up to £73.10 a week, while Universal Credit claimants have to wait five weeks for their first payment.
Robison added: “It beggars belief that DWP chiefs are taking big handouts while families across the country are struggling due to sanctions and the rollout of Universal Credit.”
Labour MSP Mark Griffin said: “Under the Tories we have witnessed our social security system being cut to the bone, with those most in need hit hardest. Senior civil servants, who implemented these policies, receiving such huge bonuses year after year is shocking. However, it is those who brought those policies into being, the Tories, who must shoulder the blame for their cruel cuts.”
A DWP spokesperson said: “As is standard practice across the Civil Service, only staff performing well in their role receive a bonus. All payments follow strict Cabinet Office rules.”
