THOUSANDS of carers across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire are missing out on extra cash as the Scottish Government “drags its feet” over benefit changes, it has been claimed.

Neil Bibby MSP has said, that since September last year, Holyrood chiefs have been able to top up benefits such as Carers’ Allowance.

And he added that, by not doing so, around 2,260 people in Renfrewshire and a further 800 in East Renfrewshire have missed out on extra payments of £250.

The Labour man, who represents West Scotland, said: “Carers are missing out because the SNP government in Edinburgh is dragging its feet over using the new powers of the Scottish Parliament.

“Carers are the unsung heroes of our country. Thousands of people dedicate their lives to caring for others and save the government, particularly our NHS and social care system, billions of pounds because of their selfless care and attention.

“Carers claiming the allowance would be £250 better off if the SNP had delivered at the first opportunity.

“There is cross-party support for this policy. No party in the Scottish Parliament would have stood in the way of the SNP had they delivered it when they had the chance.

“It’s time for the SNP to move beyond warm words and actually keep their promises.”

However, the Scottish Government has accused Mr Bibby of “a disgraceful distortion of the situation regarding social security devolution”.

A spokesperson said: “Neil Bibby knows full well that we cannot top up the benefit without the co-operation and agreement of the Department of Work and Pensions.

“Neil Bibby is also well aware that we cannot deliver any devolved benefits until we have the powers transferred, the legislation scrutinised and agreed by the Scottish Parliament and the delivery infrastructure in place. That process is long established and unchanged.

“The SNP government will be proud to deliver this uplift in Carers’ Allowance as soon as we are able to do so. It is deeply disappointing that Labour would seek to cause unnecessary distress for carers in this way.”

According to latest statistics released by the DWP, a total of 67,800 people across Scotland claim Carers’ Allowance.