SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson, has called on local people to sign up and help shape Scotland’s new social security system – with the Scottish Government seeking to learn from the experiences of those crrently using the service. Continue reading Sign up to help shape Scotland’s social security system
At least 2,000 people with direct personal experience of the current social security system are being recruited to help shape Scotland’s new system. Continue reading Learning from bitter experience
The successful delivery of the devolution of social security is to be investigated by two parliamentary committees. For the first time a Holyrood Committee and a Westminster Committee will work together to look at the relationship between the Scottish and UK Governments and investigate if it is working effectively. Continue reading Working together: Holyrood and Westminster committees to talk social security
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. Continue reading Scottish Social Security consultation arouses strong feelings
Hi everyone
Just a wee reminder about the community event we are having in the centre on Wednesday. The aim of the event is to give people from North Edinburgh an opportunity to take part in the Scottish Government’s consultation process on a new Social Security System for Scotland.
We will be kicking off at 10.00 and finishing at 12.30. A community lunch will be provided afterwards in the cafe. To help us with the arrangements for the day, we would appreciate if you could let us know if you are coming and if you require childcare or have any other needs we should be aware of.
Thanks and best wishes
Lynn
At least 2,000 people who have direct experience of receiving benefits are to help shape Scotland’s first ever social security system. People from across the country who currently receive a benefit which will be devolved to Scotland, or who have received it in the last year, will be recruited to help to design and test the new system to ensure it works for them.
The Experience Groups will be set up from spring 2017, and will build on the feedback which is already being gathered through the Scottish Government’s current social security consultation.
Announcing the project, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, Angela Constance said: “We want to build a fairer social security system that treats people with dignity and respect. When we set out our guiding principles for social security, we said that we would put the user experience first, and that our system would be designed with and for the people of Scotland.
“As part of that process we are already consulting with a wide range of people from across Scotland to gather their feedback on how the current system works.
“We have listened to what goes well, but have also heard many reports of the problems so many people face when accessing benefits. We want to make sure that does not happen in our new system – therefore we will recruit at least 2,000 people from across Scotland, who are in receipt of benefits, to help us shape and test our new system.
“We are determined that our new social security system is built to support those people who need it most. This crucial involvement from people with direct experience of receiving social security payments will help make sure that we get it right.”
Once fully devolved, Scotland will take control of around £2.7 billion, or 15% of the total Scottish social security bill. The remainder of spending in Scotland will remain under control of the UK Government.
The Scottish Government is currently consulting on Scotland’s first ever social security consultation. You can give you views at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/social-security/social-security-in-scotland
You can also get involved in the consultation by email at socialsecurityconsultation@gov.scot or telephone on 0131 244 7763 or in writing at Social Security Consultation, 5th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU.
LOCAL EVENT: ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE
Wednesday 26 October 10am – 12.30pm
We inivte you/your group to take part in a local consultation event about Social Security in Scotland. The event will take place in Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre on Wednesday 26th October from 10 – 12.30. The event has been organised in conjunction with the Poverty Alliance who have been running these sessions throughout Scotland during the last couple of months. We are keen to ensure that people from North Edinburgh who have experience of the current system are able to take part in the process and have their voices heard.
Continue reading Scots on benefits to help shape our welfare system
Hi folks,
I am writing to invite you/your group to take part in a local consultation event about Social Security in Scotland. The event will take place in Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre on Wednesday 26th October from 10 – 12.30. Continue reading Have your say on our benefits system
CAS report paints a bleak picture of clients in crisis
On the day Britain welcomed (?) our new Prime Minister, Citizens Advice Scotland published new evidence exposing the levels of poverty and destitution in Scotland.
Continue reading ‘the social security system is simply not working’
Scottish Government plans a fairer approach to social security
Scotland’s new social security powers will make it fairer and simpler for people to access benefits, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil has said.
Launching a paper today on government conversations with the public and stakeholders on how new social security powers should be used, Mr Neil said Scotland’s new social security system will treat people with respect and dignity.
More than 70 organisations working with children, carers, disabled people, ethnic minority representative groups and older people have taken part in discussions around the new powers.
A wide range of responses has been received on what we could do with these powers – and the consistent view is that that we need to take a fairer approach, one that does not stigmatise or punish people who receive benefits.
Mr Neil said: “The new social security powers are part of the conversation on what will make a fairer Scotland. This feedback is helping us develop our own social security system which we will ensure treats individuals with respect and removes the barriers that cause confusion and anxiety for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“The new system will have at its heart a set of principles and values. This will include ensuring people are treated with respect and dignity when applying for, being assessed for, and receiving disability-related benefits.
“It is clear we must provide people with relevant information so they are aware of how the system will work for them and how long decisions will take.
“It is also important that the system is fair and efficient – that the investment we all make in social security is well managed and is directed at the people who need it, in the way that will support them best.
“Through the current system many people, including carers, young people, families and those who can’t work because of disabilities or mental health, have all faced cuts and discrimination as a result of the UK Government welfare reform programme.
“Just last month we announced we will abolish the UK Government ‘84-day rule’ which means families who face higher living costs due to their child’s illness or disability will not be penalised when their child goes into hospital or has necessary medical treatment.
“We also announced last week that the needs of carers will be placed at the heart of the devolved carers’ allowance. We are determined to ensure that the allowance – like our new social security system as a whole – meets people’s needs, addresses their priorities and respects their rights.
“This is an early signal of our refusal to take an approach that punishes the vulnerable and instead focuses on fairness, accessibility and stability.”
The Scottish Government will publish a further paper by the end of the year setting out its outline vision for social security in Scotland.
The paper outlining the conversation so far is available to view at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/3498
You can find out more on social security work at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/fairerscotland/future-powers/powers
