Disability Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023: business regulatory impact assessment

Summary and recommendation

Any negative impact to businesses as a result of these regulations should be minor and short-term as agencies adjust to new information and get to grips with the changes. We anticipate the impacts to be neutral in the long-term. We will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders and key organisations which will provide the Scottish Government with an opportunity to monitor the impact of the policy.

Option 1

Total benefit per annum

There are limited benefits to this option. Any benefits relate to the cost of the other options i.e. it is a benefit that this option does not have those costs. This option does not have any benefits in its own right. Moreover, the negative impact of this option is not accompanied by any savings in cost given there are no anticipated increased costs in making the change.

Total cost per annum

There are no financial implications for this option.

However, on an administrative level, it is likely in the long term that there will be an administrative burden on Social Security Scotland and the advice sector who will have to support individuals who require extra guidance as they transition to Adult Disability Payment.

There are also political/legal implications of this option. The 2018 Act sets out that we want to take a person-centred, human rights based approach to social security. Doing nothing would ignore an opportunity to further improve the journey between two forms of disability assistance. In this way it could be seen to undermine the principles of the 2018 Act.

Option 2

Total benefit per annum

There is a significant social benefit of this option as it seeks to further improve the journey from Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment for young people.

Total cost per annum

There are no anticipated increased financial costs as a result of this option.

However, administratively in the short-medium term, there will be an increased burden. Welfare rights and income maximisation services may be indirectly affected as a result of young people seeking advice and signposting on these changes.