The Labour MP supported the Conservative party proposal to limit what working families, pensioners, and those on disability benefits can receive from the government.

Dumbarton and the Vale, and neighbouring Clydebank, are acknowledged as some of the most impoverished areas of Scotland, with a high percentage of people in receipt of some for of benefit.

Danny McCafferty, ex-leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, has campaigned to highlight the need to help those less off in the area. He says he was ‘disgusted’ at the actions of Ms Doyle.

He added: “It’s not often I react angrily to political decisions, but that one single act, to me, is unbelievable. She’s a careerist and did it to further her own future in Westminster. We live in a high area of deprivation and poverty.

DISGUSTED “It’s been well documented over the year. For a local MP to vote with a Tory government is unbelievable – I’m absolutely disgusted. She forgets who voted her into power and why she was voted into power.” However, the MP has defended her decision, saying the cap is not on individual benefits.

She said: This is not a cap on any individual’s benefits and it does not involve any additional cuts.” Last week MPs overwhelmingly backed plans to introduce an overall cap on the amount the UK spends on welfare to £119.5 billion next year — that excludes state pension and some unemployment benefits.

With Labour supporting the idea, the measure was approved in the House of Commons by 520 to 22 votes. Chancellor George Osborne floated the idea in his recent Budget. The vote in favour now means future limits will be set at the beginning of each Parliament.

The cap will include spending on the vast majority of benefits, including pension credits, severe disablement allowance, incapacity benefits, child benefit, both maternity and paternity pay, universal credit and housing benefit. However, Jobseeker’s allowance and the state pension will be excluded.

West of Scotland MSP, Stuart McMillan, pictured, criticised Ms Doyle’s move, saying she helped to attack the poor and vulnerable. He added: “We voted against the welfare cap because it piles yet more pain onto our poorest pensioners, carers, disabled people and low income families. It is shameful a Labour MP who represents an area where many families rely on benefits could side with the Tories and attack the very benefits they depend on.

“The cap once again puts the most disadvantaged people in our communities on the front line.

“It is blatant ring-wing politics, not aimed at solving any of the long term problems which are getting worse because of Westminster’s austerity agenda, an agenda now supported by all the anti-independence parties.” If the government wanted to spend more on one area of the welfare state it would have to compensate by making cuts elsewhere, to stay within the overall cap. If the limit is breached — or going to be breached — ministers would have to explain why to Parliament and get the approval of MPs in a vote.

................................

GEMMA Doyle MP was contacted by the Reporter to defend her decision to vote in favour of a benefit cap.

She told us: “I believe we can get spending under control by making fairer and different choices, such as cutting the winter fuel allowance from the richest five per cent of pensioners, and tackling low wages which leave too many people reliant on in-work benefits.

“This is not a cap on any individual’s benefits and it does not involve any additional cuts. It does not change the fact we disagree with many of this government’s policies such as the Bedroom Ta x, which we will repeal.

“The cap will be set by the next government and Parliament can change what is included in the total spend.

“Other departments, such as the NHS have to work within a budget, and I hope this will help to make it clear whether government policies are actually working or not.”