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Social Security Scotland: key priorities

Letter from Convener to Social Security Scotland, 8 July 2021

Dear David,

Social Security Scotland: key priorities

I am writing to you as Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee following the establishment of parliamentary committees. The Committee is looking forward to scrutinising the important issues within its remit over the next session.

Thank you for notifying the Committee of the publication of your Equality Strategy and Business Plan for 2021-22. The next five years will see the continuing roll-out of the Scottish Government’s social security programme. We recognise that there will be an increased shift of benefits to delivery by Social Security Scotland. This will result in a significant increase in your role and workload. One aspect of our scrutiny will be to pay close attention to the administrative costs associated with the growth and change in your role.

We see the SSS role as pivotal in ensuring the delivery of devolved benefits embodies the principles of dignity, fairness and respect as promised during the passage of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018. Another key aspect to our scrutiny will be to ensure that how clients are treated by SSS continues to place ‘dignity and respect’ at the centre of the approach taken.

At its first meeting, the Committee agreed to write to you to seek an early indication of your upcoming priorities. We would welcome an update on your objectives to assist in developing the Committee’s work priorities. The Committee will also be interested to hear about the early experience in the pilot of the Child Disability Payment, preparations to moving to national roll-out and further preparations for Adult Disability Payment next year.

We are keen to establish a good working relationship with SSS and to understand further your work and any challenges you may be facing. The Committee very much hopes to visit Social Security Scotland in Dundee and will work with you to identify a suitable opportunity in line with coronavirus guidance.

I look forward to hearing from you and would welcome a response by 1 August 2021.

Yours sincerely
 
Neil Gray MSP

Convener, Social Justice and Social Security Committee