The Disability Assistance (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025: equality impact assessment

5. Data – key findings

In November 2023 there were around 77,000 individuals having an entitlement to Disability Living Allowance in Scotland.^[17] 38,700 of these were in the 'working age' cohort and 38,882 in the '65+' cohort.

As it is a closed benefit, the population of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance is likely to decrease over time due to natural outflow of clients as a result of moves to Adult Disability Payment, improvements in health conditions, and deaths. By 2029 there are expected to be 41,000 remaining individuals with entitlement to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.^[18]

In the mid-2021 Population Estimates, people aged 65 and over accounted for 20% of the Scottish population.^[19] This is an increase since the time of the 2011 Census, whereby this age group accounted for around 17% of the population.

Data from the Papworth Trust found that women are slightly more likely than men to be disabled in the United Kingdom.^[20] 23% of women are noted as having a disability, compared to 19% of men.

A report by the Women's Budget Group has found that women are twice as likely to rely on social security as men.^[21] This higher percentage of disabled women compared to men is reflected in the ratio of those in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. About 44% of Disability Living Allowance recipients are men, compared to 56% who are women.^[22] This may in part be explained by the differences in life expectancy in Scotland. Between 2019 and 2021, life expectancy in Scotland was 76.6 years for men and 80.8 years for women.^[23]

As of November 2023, around 65% of those entitled to Disability Living Allowance are over State Pension age.

5.1 Working Age Cohort

The 'working age' cohort includes people up to 74 years of age (i.e. those who were under 65 in 2013). 72% of the working age cohort is over 50 years of age. As a result of Disability Living Allowance being closed to new claims from 2013, we understand the average age of clients will be significantly higher than for Adult Disability Payment.

49% of the working age cohort is male and 51% is female. There are proportionately more males at the younger end of the working age cohort (under 50), and more females in the older age ranges (50 to 74).

In the working age cohort, the most common main disabling condition listed for the younger age groups is learning difficulties. Between 50 and 59 psychosis is listed most commonly as the main disabling condition. Over the age of 60 the most common main disabling condition is arthritis.

As of November 2023, 30% of the working-age cohort is over State Pension age.

5.2 DLA 65+ cohort

The Disability Living Allowance 65+ cohort is now all 75 years old or older. 40% of this cohort is male and 60% is female. Women outnumber men at all ages in this cohort. By some distance, the most common main disabling condition listed for the 65+ cohort is arthritis.

Overall, this Equality Impact Assessment has found that the introduction of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance will have a positive impact on the people of Scotland, including individuals who fall under the following protected characteristics.