Meeting of the Parliament 18 April 2024
I thank Mark Griffin for his on-going commitment to people who have experienced an industrial injury or occupational disease, which is evidenced by the introduction of the bill. Equally, I pay tribute to those who have worked with him in developing the bill, giving evidence and taking part in the consultation process that he has driven. I also express my appreciation to members of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee for their thorough consideration of the bill and comprehensive report.
I recognise that there is a degree of support for the concept of a Scottish advisory council. I am keenly aware of the issues that people have with the UK Government’s industrial injuries scheme, many of which Mark Griffin referred to in his opening remarks, which are primarily related to the current scheme’s age and the changes to the employment landscape in the more than 70 years since its introduction. That is evidenced by the underrepresentation of women, young people and ethnic minorities in the current scheme.
I therefore very much appreciate the views of the many people who would like changes to be made through employment injury assistance—our planned replacement for the UK scheme—and I share those ambitions. I want to work with stakeholders to modernise the scheme in a way that delivers for the people who receive assistance while, of course, delivering value for money.
The Government does not oppose the principle of a Scottish advisory council, but Mr Griffin’s bill would introduce such a body without employment injury assistance being in place, and, as the committee and many of the stakeholders who gave evidence on the bill recognised, consideration of whether and how a Scottish advisory council should be formed should be taken alongside the wider question of how we deliver employment injury assistance. It is essential that we do things in the most logical order in relation to policy development, the best use of resources and value for money.