Carmichael hits back at Salmond claims

The Scottish Secretary has hit back at Alex Salmond's claim that he's out of touch with the reality of poverty in Scotland.

Alistair Carmichael was speaking during a visit to Fife after he launched the UK Government latest analysis paper on pensions. The British Government is introducing the new single tier state pension and claims it provides a 'triple lock' guarantee on increases each year. Mr Carmichael says spending on pensions, benefits and public services in Scotland is more affordable as part of the UK. During First Minister's Questions Mr Salmond said Mr Carmichael had described the welfare system was 'fantastic', despite a five-fold rise in the number of people using foodbanks.But Mr Carmichael told Greg Russell it's typical of Mr Salmond to talk about people, rather than policies: