Disability Assistance for Older People (Scotland) Regulations 2024: Island Communities Impact Assessment

Conclusion

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

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

111. The Scottish Government has not identified any evidence that the introduction of Pension Age Disability Payment, or the case transfer from Attendance Allowance to Pension Age Disability Payment, will directly or indirectly discriminate against remote and island communities.

112. The introduction of Pension Age Disability Payment and the case transfer process are expected to have a positive impact on disabled people across Scotland, regardless of location, with a secondary positive impact on their families and carers.

113. Pension Age Disability Payment will help to address a number of issues raised in this Island Communities Impact Assessment, such as the higher cost of living in remote and island communities and challenges faced in accessing social security due to cultural barriers. This Island Communities Impact Assessment has identified the need to ensure that Pension Age Disability Payment is promoted appropriately and sensitively in remote rural areas.

114. The Scottish Government is committed to designing Social Security Scotland’s services with people in Scotland. On-going engagement with disabled people, external stakeholders and advisory groups will ensure that the impact of the regulations remain under continuous review.

115. The Scottish Government has concluded that no further changes to the Pension Age Disability Payment regulations are necessary as a result of the Island Communities Impact Assessment.