Adult Disability Payment: Independent Review Minutes - January 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Edel Harris OBE (Chair, Independent Review of ADP)
• Keith Rae (Lead Secretary, Independent Review of ADP)
• Douglas Zavaroni (Member of Secretariat, Independent Review of ADP) 
• Craig Smith, SAMH
• Erica Young, Citizens Advice Scotland
• Ellie Wagstaff, Marie Curie
• Mhairi Campbell, Independent Member
• Steven McAvoy, ENABLE Scotland
• Brian Robertson, Independent Member

Items and actions

Opening

The Chair welcomed the attendees and gave a brief overview of the independent analysis of responses to the consultation and call for evidence.

The Chair outlined that the main purpose of the session was to discuss the eligibility criteria for Adult Disability Payment.

One member of the Group highlighted recent research from DWP about fluctuating conditions, which they agreed to share with the Secretariat.

Group members asked if addressing “affordability” in the final report involves costing recommendations and/or determining potential impacts on the wider economy.

The Chair said she thinks this is likely out of scope for the Review but asked the Secretariat to obtain clarity on this point.

A Group member asked about the impact of any proposed changes on passporting.

The Chair confirmed that this is in scope for the Review and that reference will need to be made to potential consequences of recommendations. She said that it is for the Scottish Government to decide how to respond to the recommendations of the Review.

Another Group member highlighted that if the UK Government allows for passporting but creates new administrative burdens, that is an issue.

A member of the Secretariat gave an overview of the timeline for phase 2 of the Review to publish the final report in July 2025.

Models for Eligibility Criteria

The Chair presented a series of slides that outlined potential future models for the eligibility criteria for ADP for discussion. She highlighted that no one model will likely have the full answer and that it will likely be a combination of items from more than one model taken together. 

The Chair thanked everyone for their contributions and closed the meeting.