Child Disability Payment Amendment Regulations: draft island communities impact assessment

Conclusion

80. Scottish Ministers are aware of the duty to consult island communities before making a material change to any policy, strategy or service which, in the Scottish Ministers' opinion, is likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities.

81. This impact assessment has highlighted that living in island and remote communities present unique challenges for disabled children and young people.

82. We have not identified any evidence that the changes we are making to the Disability Assistance for Children and Young People (Scotland) Regulations 2021 will directly or indirectly discriminate against remote and island communities.

83. The introduction of CDP and case transfer is expected to have a positive impact on disabled children and young people across Scotland, regardless of location, with a secondary positive impact on their families and carers. The changes we are making in this instrument seeks to build on this positive impact.

84. CDP will help to address a number of issues raised in this ICIA such as the higher cost of living in remote and island communities and challenges faced in relation to connectivity and accessibility.

85. This ICIA has identified the need to ensure that CDP and case transfer is promoted appropriately and sensitively in remote rural areas. We have heard how people have often been left uncertain about what DWP want from them. We will provide clarity and transparent information about the application and renewal process. In response to this ICIA and other consultation carried out, we intend to redesign the renewal and transition processes to make them more streamlined and make more use of information that is already held.

86. The Scottish Government is committed to designing the devolved social security system with people in Scotland, and on-going engagement with disabled people, external stakeholders and advisory groups will ensure that the impact of the regulations remain under continuous review.

87. The Scottish Government has concluded that no further changes to the Disability Assistance for Children and Young People (Scotland) Regulations are necessary as a result of the ICIA.