Right to Social Security at heart of new Bill

The Social Security (Scotland) Bill will give the Scottish Government the powers to deliver eleven social security benefits and will enable the topping up of some reserved benefits and a mechanism to pay a Carer’s Allowance supplement at the earliest opportunity.

Publishing the Bill, Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said:

“I believe strongly that everyone has a right to social security – so much so that I have put these principles on the very first page of this Bill.  And these principles are embedded in our approach throughout – whether it is how entitlement to benefits is determined, a more just review and appeals system, or our decision to remove the private sector from disability benefit assessments.”

“Dignity and respect is at the heart of our social security policy-a marked contrast to the approach that the current UK Government is taking, as their unjust welfare cuts continue to cause misery, push more people into poverty and attract international criticism.”

The first social security payments to be delivered by the Scottish Government from summer 2018 will be the increased Carer’s Allowance, followed by the Best Start Grant and the Funeral Expense Assistance from summer 2019.

 

 

Image credit: Thomas’s pics, Flickr