AN SNP politician has hit out at 'cruel' UK Government policies after it emerged that more than £1m was spent on housing payments in Inverclyde.

MSP Natalie Don, whose ward includes Kilmacolm, said the Scottish Government had spent 'millions' in discretionary housing payments to mitigate the impact of the 'bedroom tax'.

Ms Don said: “The introduction of the bedroom tax has been one of the cruellest policies introduced by this UK Tory government as it targets the most vulnerable in our society.

"The Scottish Government should not have to clean up the mess left by the Tories."