Social Security Experience Panels: who is in the panels

Key findings

• 63 per cent of respondents identify as "female" or as a "woman or girl". 35 per cent identify as "male" or as a "man or boy".
• Almost three quarters of respondents are over the age of 45. A quarter are over the age of 60.
• 96 per cent of respondents describe their ethnic group as white, and 2 per cent said they were part of a minority ethnic group.
• 51 per cent of respondents said that they had no religion. 18 per cent said that they were Church of Scotland, and 11 per cent said they were Roman Catholic. A number of other religions were represented among respondents, ranging from 1 to 3 per cent of respondents.
• 86 per cent of respondents identified as heterosexual or straight. Nine per cent identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual and two per cent identified in another way. Less than 10 identified as trans.
• 83 per cent of respondents said that they had a disability or long-term health condition.
• 49 per cent of respondents said that they have caring responsibilities and 49 per cent said they do not.
• Key areas that panel members described as working well included feeling listened to, feeling able to contribute to the design of the new social security system, and feeling that they had a choice about how to take part
• Key areas panel members felt could be improved included having more events across different parts of Scotland and offering more alternative times and ways of participating for face-to-face events.