Labour and the SNP will both push for more welfare powers to be devolved as MPs debate the Scotland Bill.

Greater controls north of the border can help protect Scots from the Conservative Government, which has said it wants to cut £12 billion from the benefits bill, thy will argue.

Labour has accused the SNP of abandoning its commitment to Full Fiscal Autonomy (FFA) after the party did not include full tax and spending powers in its proposed amendments to the Bill.

The Liberal Democrats, who have called on the SNP to table FFA, said that the party was "game playing".

That charge was denied by Angus Robertson, the SNP's Westminster leader, who said he and his colleagues remained committed to so-called 'devo max".

But he insisted the powers had to be considered alongside others, such as borrowing.

He challenged Tory ministers, saying: "If they (the UK Government) were to be prepared to discuss with the Scottish Government about how to bring this about, I would very much welcome that."

Giving Scotland responsibility for raising resources as well as spending would be the "optimal" way forward, Mr Robertson said.

The UK Government said Scottish ministers already had a wide range of powers to create economic growth and tackle poverty, and would soon receive more as a result of the 2012 Scotland Bill.

A spokesman also reiterated David Cameron's call that the SNP should "stop talking and start doing."

Labour said that more devolution could protect the most Scots from the "worst" of the Tories.

Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, the only Labour MP in Scotland, will table a number of amendments, including to give MSPs the final say on benefit rates, the power to 'top up' welfare payments and full devolution of Housing Benefit.

The party also wants more welfare powers given to local communities, not just the Scottish Parliament, starting with the Work Programme jobs scheme.

Mr Murray said: "The original purpose of devolution was to keep the social solidarity that comes from being part of something bigger whilst recognising the uniqueness of Scotland's role in the UK.

"The final say on benefits paid in Scotland should be made in Scotland."

Deputy First Minister John Swinney is due to meet the Chancellor George Osborne to discuss the Bill. He will Mr Osborne over the surprise extra cuts to his Budget.