Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 04 June 2024
04 Jun 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I thank the clerks and everyone who gave evidence to the committee at stage 1, which has helped us to form our report. I confirm that members on the Conservative benches will vote in favour of the bill at stage 1.
Eight years ago, social security was devolved to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. It was a hopeful time and a fresh opportunity to create a uniquely Scottish system. The system would be well equipped to address the specific issues of poverty that we have in this country. It was a chance for decisions to be made at local level by local people.
Unfortunately, eight years on, we have not done what we had hoped to achieve. We have a system that, basically, is a carbon copy of the Department for Work and Pensions system in every way, other than in efficiency and price tag. Social Security Scotland has been administering a system that has slow processing times, a high level of complaints and a very high number of applications being denied. I think that members will agree that that does not show dignity, fairness and respect to those in Scotland who need our help.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-13464, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill at stag...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (Shirley-Anne Somerville)
SNP
Although the chamber has cleared somewhat after my statement, I thank all the members who are staying and will contribute to the debate. This is an important...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I call Collette Stevenson to speak on behalf of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee. 15:03
Collette Stevenson (East Kilbride) (SNP)
SNP
On behalf of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, I am pleased to contribute to the debate on the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill. I...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I thank the clerks and everyone who gave evidence to the committee at stage 1, which has helped us to form our report. I confirm that members on the Conserva...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Will Jeremy Balfour give way?
Jeremy Balfour
Con
For Mr Mason, absolutely.
John Mason
SNP
I thank Jeremy Balfour for his generosity. Does he accept that we now spend about £1 billion more on social security than would be the case from direct conse...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
Under the system, we are giving a couple more benefits, but the process behind it is identical to that of Westminster. The Government likes to hide behind t...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
The member spoke about all the benefits that are delivered in Scotland being inflation proofed every single year. How would Mr Balfour fund that if our budge...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
As the member says almost every week in the committee, it is all about political choices. I think that this is a political choice that we, as a Parliament, s...
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Jeremy Balfour
Con
I am afraid that I am running out of time.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There is a bit of time in hand this afternoon. Should the member wish to take the intervention, he can, but it is up to him.
Jeremy Balfour
Con
You are too kind, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
I am grateful to the member for taking the intervention. I wonder whether he would support the DWP doing exactly the same. In that way, we could have parity ...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
I think that we have seen that the DWP has done that. As I mentioned, the bill presents us with a welcome opportunity to make a real difference to the lives...
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to open the debate on behalf of Scottish Labour and to confirm that we will support the general principles of the bill at decision time. It is ...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
I thank everyone who has worked on the bill, in particular the Social Justice and Social Security Committee. I also thank the Child Poverty Action Group, the...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to contribute to the stage 1 debate on the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill. As Deputy Convener of the Social Justice and Social Secu...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to take part in the debate. I pay tribute to and thank the organisations that provided helpful briefings ahead of this debate, as well as the co...
Marie McNair (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
I speak in the debate as a member of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee. I thank the committee clerks for their assistance with the production ...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the committee, the clerks and witnesses for the stage 1 report, and I thank members for their contributions in the debate. I did not sit on the commi...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
As other members have suggested, much of the bill is uncontentious and makes a lot of sense to all of us. For example, part 7 deals with compensation payment...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We now move to closing speeches. 15:49
Maggie Chapman
Green
I have been encouraged this afternoon by the range of important issues that have been discussed. I am particularly reassured to hear that our concerns about ...
Bob Doris
SNP
I am delighted that the member is following the work of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee so closely. Would the member accept that Danny Dorli...
Maggie Chapman
Green
Yes, I accept that point. We need to recognise and acknowledge that, and we then need to think about how we go beyond that and address issues, such as the fa...
Paul O’Kane
Lab
I want to take time to reflect on the debate that we have had this afternoon, which has helpfully shown the consensus on the bill, as well as pointed to some...
Roz McCall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I am happy to close the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. I add my thanks to those of pretty much every previous member in the debate to everyo...