The Labour MP has come under fire for siding with the Conservatives in a crucial Commons vote last week.

Critics fear more hard-up Clydebank families will be plunged deeper into poverty as a result of a plan to limit what working families, pensioners, and those on disability benefits can receive from the government.

But that didn’t stop Ms Doyle supporting the controversial move and triggering a swathe of condemnation from poverty campaigners including former West Dunbartonshire Council leader Danny McCafferty, who is committed to highlighting the need to help those who are struggling to survive in the current climate. He told the Post: “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.” Following the announcement Ms Doyle defended her decision, saying the cap is not on individual benefits.

However, because Clydebank and the surrounding area is acknowledged to be one of the most impoverished areas of Scotland with a high percentage of people in receipt of some form of benefit, critics are convinced her decision to support the proposals is a slap in the face for the area’s most vulnerable.

Last week politicians agreed to introduce an overall cap on the amount the UK spends on welfare to £119.5 billion next year — although that excludes state pension and some unemployment benefits.

With Labour supporting the idea the measure, which Chancellor George Osborne floated in his recent budget, was approved in the House of Commons by 520 to 22 votes, with 13 Labour rebels.

The vote 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.

On Monday Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson said Ms Doyle’s actions would help to ensure more disadvantaged residents are plunged into further poverty.

He told the Post: “The SNP voted against the welfare cap — which soon becomes a cut — because it piles yet more pain onto our poorest pensioners, carers, disabled people and low income families.

“The best way to reduce and manage welfare spending is to restore the economy to a state of health, and that’s what this Westminster government is failing to do. It should be creating more job opportunities in sectors that pay a living wage; investing more in childcare to allow women to go back to work and building more affordable homes. I am angry that the MP for one of the most disadvantaged areas in Scotland would toe her party’s line and vote with her new best friends, the Tories, to further penalise the most vulnerable in society.” Joe Henry, of Clydebank east community council, was also critical of the move and fumed: “Her actions are contemptible. Everybody feel she’s not representing us and not representing the constituents who voted her in.” However, last week Ms Doyle defended her decision. She said: “I believe that 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 that we disagree with many of this Government’s policies such as the Bedroom Tax 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.”