Committee calls for dignity, fairness and respect at the heart of changes to Scotland's social security system

The Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill makes several changes to the devolved social security system, including allowing the Scottish Government to create new benefits for those who have had experience of the care system by providing for Care Experience Assistance, changing processes for decision making on a range of benefits and processes for paying back assistance received by mistake.

The Committee's report recommends several small changes to the Bill. It is hoped that these changes could help the Scottish Government reaffirm its commitment to the social security principles of dignity, fairness and respect, outlined in 2018’s Social Security (Scotland) Act.

Some of the recommendations include simplifying processes and providing clearer guidance, which would help to streamline the redetermination and appeal processes for people applying for social security assistance. The Committee has also asked the Scottish Government for clarity on how seeking information for audit from claimants could be closer aligned to the principles. 

Collette Stevenson MSP, Convener of the Social Security and Social Justice Committee, said:

“Overall, we are satisfied that the Social Security Amendment Scotland Bill takes account of the Scottish Government’s earlier commitments on social security.

“However, we do think that there could be more in the proposals to ensure there are no unintended consequences for people who are claiming assistance and to reassure them that dignity, fairness and respect are at the heart of the process.

“Our report has several practical recommendations, including creating consistent deadlines for requesting redeterminations, removing the need for an error to be identified before an appeal can be lapsed and providing a ‘cooling off’ period for withdrawing requests for redeterminations and appeals”

During one evidence session, Erica Young of Citizens Advice Scotland reflected on the possible consequences of having an application process for assistance that was poorly defined, saying: “At the moment, if someone submits their application for adult disability payment late, they may provide a good reason, but that is not elaborated on or defined in either decision maker’s guidance or the legislation. We need to have a think about that. What is at stake here is the finances of the claimant.”

The Bill is expected to be voted on at stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament later this month.