Hansard

We need to be conscious of the fact that we have a hybrid social security system at the moment and that two important streams of work are taking place. The first is the introduction of new benefits and the second is the transfer of people to Social Security Scotland. While we do that, we need to ensure that we do not create a two-tier system and that we treat people with equality. That is part of the fairness principle, which the Scottish Parliament voted for in the bill that became the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.

We are making some changes to the eligibility criteria, and we are changing the way in which we deliver benefits. We are putting an end to the anxiety of private sector assessments. No undignified physical and mental examinations will take place, and we are removing the stressful cycle of unnecessary reassessments and the adversarial approach of the Department for Work and Pensions.

In contrast to what happens elsewhere in the UK, we are introducing a system that is rooted in trust and that is supported by the input of in-house health and social care practitioners. In our system, only one piece of information from a formal source will be sought to support the question on general care and mobility needs in a person’s application, and the onus will be on Social Security Scotland to collect that information.

Overall, the experience of applying for and receiving adult disability payment will be fundamentally different from the current DWP system. We are focused on making changes that will have the greatest positive impact on how people experience accessing support, while not risking safe and secure delivery.

I have announced an independent review of adult disability payment, which will be carried out in two stages. The initial stage will commence later this year, and we will consider the mobility criteria first. The full adult disability payment framework will be considered during the second stage, which will begin in the summer of 2023.

I am confident and determined that, from day 1, adult disability payment will deliver a new and much improved experience for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.

Let us keep building a better social security system together for the people whom we represent and for the common good of Scotland.

I urge Parliament to support the regulations.