Scots disability benefits to increase by 10 per cent

The Scottish Government will increase disability benefits in line with inflation, the social security minister has confirmed.

This is to avoid a discrepancy between those in receipt of the equivalent benefit, both elsewhere in the UK and within Scotland while the benefit is still being devolved.

In the autumn statement on Thursday, chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed the UK Government would uprate benefits by 10.1 per cent from April. It is based on the rate of inflation in September.

This includes those receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

In an interview with Holyrood, Ben Macpherson confirmed social security payments for disabled adults and children in Scotland will also increase.

He said: “We will [increase disability benefits], because if people on PIP are getting a 10.1 per cent increase, I will of course do that for Adult Disability Payments, and likewise for Child Disability Payment.”

The Scottish Government began delivering the adult benefit from August this year, though not all Scots are yet on the new system.

The process of transferring those in receipt of PIP onto Adult Disability Payments is currently underway.

The Child Disability Payment has been delivered by the Scottish Government for the last year.

Macpherson did not confirm whether other Scottish benefits would also be increased in line with inflation.

He said: “The other devolved benefits, that will be set out what we're going to do with them as part of the budget. But certainly, as has been demonstrated in recent years, where we can provide more assistance, we will seek to.”

The Scottish budget will be set out by deputy first minister John Swinney on 15 December.

The interview with Ben Macpherson will feature in the next edition of Holyrood magazine, out on Monday 19 December.