Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations: letter to the Scottish Commission on Social Security (SCoSS)

Letter to Scottish Commission on Social Security (SCOSS)

Minister for Social Security and Local Government

Ben Macpherson MSP

T: 0300 244 4000

E: scottish.ministers@gov.scot

Dr Sally Witcher OBE
Scottish Commission on Social Security
c/o Secretariat
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

By email to: info@socialsecuritycommission.scot

17 December 2021

Dear Sally,

Thank you for your scrutiny report of 1 October 2021 on the Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Commission for considering these Regulations. I recognise the significant volume of work undertaken by the Commission in their scrutiny of these Regulations, alongside others in challenging timescales.

As you will be aware, our plan is to begin accepting new applications for Adult Disability Payment from next spring in three Scottish local authority areas initially with further phases added throughout the summer. The dates are contained in the regulations and are set out below:

Date which we will begin accepting new applications to Adult Disability Payment

21 March 2022

• Perthshire and Kinross
• City of Dundee
• Western Isles

20 June 2022

• Angus
• North Lanarkshire
• South Lanarkshire

25 July 2022

• Fife
• City of Aberdeen
• Aberdeenshire
• Moray
• North Ayrshire
• East Ayrshire
• South Ayrshire

29 August 2022

• All remaining Scottish local authority areas

We will begin the process of transferring clients who are receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from DWP to Social Security Scotland from summer 2022. The Regulations make provision to effect the transfer of individuals on PIP to Adult Disability Payment, which will mark a considerable milestone in the devolution of social security in Scotland.

The substantial analysis undertaken by SCoSS on these Regulations has been immensely valuable in ensuring that Adult Disability Payment delivers for disabled people in Scotland. I am confident that changes we have made in response to SCoSS' recommendations demonstrate that we are listening and that our decisions are informed by evidence of what is right for clients.

Please find attached a copy of the Scottish Government's response to SCoSS' recommendations (set out in the accompanying annex). The response also details further changes that have been made to the regulations. This response will be laid in parliament along with the regulations. I have also issued a copy to the Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee.

I am grateful to Members for the way in which they have engaged so constructively with the Scottish Government. Thank you again for your co-operation and continued significant contribution to shaping disability assistance in Scotland.

Best regards,

Ben Macpherson