Thousands of Scots share their views on the social security system
The three-month consultation on building a Scottish social security system has ended – for now. Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says the government will publish a report in the New Year and insists the dialogue will continue.
Just over 120 events – including one meeting at a packed Royston Wardieburn Community Centre – were held as part of the engagement that has reached thousands of people across Scotland, delivered in partnership with key organisations working with those who receive benefits and have experience of the current system. And at least 470 separate responses were received, giving views on what sort of social security system the Scottish Government should create, when powers are transferred from the UK Government.
Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman described the number of responses and the positive engagement of people in face to face to events across the country as “a powerful indication” of the strength of feeling on the issue across Scotland.
Ms Freeman said: “Social security is an investment we all make in ourselves and in each other – none of us knows when we might need that support, and the benefits coming to Scotland will affect one in four of us.
“Engaging with people across all of Scotland, reaching every part of the country, means we now have a huge amount of feedback that will be invaluable to how we design and deliver social security.
“We have heard personal testimony – face-to-face and in writing – from people who have shared often harrowing and upsetting personal experiences.
“Each and every one of these conversations will contribute to helping us deliver these new social security powers so that they have dignity and respect at their core.
“This consultation has been a huge effort to gather views from as many people as possible – the size of the response is a powerful indication of how strongly people feel about the social security system they want for Scotland and I am very grateful to everyone who took part.
“We will now consider the responses carefully and publish a report early next year.
“But I want people to know this is not the end of the process. We will continue to engage with people and organisations as we take forward our plans to establish a Scottish system that treats people with dignity, respect and fairness.”
Benefits being transferred to Scotland are:
- Ill health and disability benefits – including Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Carer’s Allowance
- Sure Start Maternity Grants
- Funeral Payments
- Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments
- Discretionary Housing Payments
- Some powers in relation to Universal Credit.
Benefits to remain reserved to the UK Government are:
- Universal Credit (which replaces Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Related Employment Support Allowance, Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits and Housing Benefit)
- State Pension and Pension Credit
- Contributory Employment Support Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Maternity and Paternity Pay
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