Scottish social security system given unanimous backing from MSPs

Proposals on how the new devolved social security system in Scotland was given unanimous support in the Scottish Parliament last night.

The Social Security Bill, which shapes how new devolved benefits from Westminster will look in Scotland, saw several successful amendments from opposition parties.

The devolution of the powers is to be done in stages, with the new system fully in place by 2021.

Social Security minister Jeane Freeman, who was given a standing ovation, said the new benefits represented “the single biggest transfer of powers since devolution began” and would take a rights-based approach.

“This bill has been an opportunity to set up a new service and to do things differently, to remake the system in a way that better fits with the ambition we have for ourselves, as a parliament and as a country. Our shared ambition to live with dignity, fairness and respect.”

The 11 new devolved benefits, worth around £3.3bn a year, will be administrated by a new agency, Social Security Scotland.

As promised, Ministers removed a limit on how long a terminally ill person must have left to live before benefits could be fast-tracked.

Jeremy Balfour, Scottish Conservative welfare reform spokesman, said passage of the bill was “devolution at work.”

“Having introduced the original amendment extending the benefits of terminally ill Scots, I am particularly pleased that those rights have been accepted.

He added: “Our concerns regarding the difficulty of implementing these new social security powers and the lack of preparedness of the SNP remain.”

Scottish Labour secured an amendment urging ministers to press the DWP for the ability to split Universal Credit payments between a couple but failed to secure an uplift in child benefit by £5 a week.

Social Security spokesperson Mark Griffin said the rejection of the child benefit increase has seen the SNP “back Tory austerity” but welcomed the commitment on splitting Universal Credit payments, something which has been backed by Engender and Scottish Women’s Aid as it protects against abusive control in relationships.

“Labour has long pressured for this simple, practical step to help vulnerable women and it is welcome it is now enshrined in law,” he said.

“This crucial change will help ensure we build a social security system that works for the many, not the few.”

Disabled rights organisation Inclusion Scotland welcomed amendments which scrap many of the rigorous medical assessments disabled people have been forced to undertake.

The charity’s director of policy Bill Scott said Inclusion Scotland had been fighting for such changes since the Smith Commission on further devolution.

“Now our job will be to ensure that the new system works in practice as well as it does on paper,” he said.

John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, said: “It is great to see the principle of a rights based social security system that treats people with dignity now in law. 

“What's more, important amendments, including on applications and notifications, that have passed today build on previous amendments on uprating, scrutiny and the right to cash assistance that promote those principles in practice.”