VOW IS THE TIME THE TIME
New powers promised during indy referendum finally go on statute book as Parliament passes legislation to take control of 11 social security benefits
SCOTLAND is to create its own unique welfare system after historic legislation was passed at Holyrood.
The new Social Security Bill will see Holyrood take control of 11 benefits, including disability living allowance, personal independence payments, winter fuel allowance and carer’s allowance.
The unanimous parlimentary vote yesterday was the final chapter in a devolution journey started in the iconic Record Vow front page on September 16, 2014.
The Westminster leaders promised a significant shift in power from Westminster to Holyrood if Scotland voted against independence.
Anger with the injustices of the UK welfare system was seen as a driver of votes for independence and the control over benefits is considered a substantial part of the new devolution package.
Scotland has already introduced its own income tax system in a bid to be more responsible for the BY DAVID CLEGG Political Editor money it spends. SNP Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said: “This is a historic moment, one that sets up a new public service for Scotland.
“Our system will be different. It will be rights based, with a right to independent advocacy for those who need it; fast-tracked arrangements and no arbitrary timescale for people with terminal illness; the right to have a supporter and the right to challenge decisions without having your money instantly cut.
“Now we turn to the work already under way to enable us to deliver.
“By the end of the summer, the first Scottish payments will be being made with our 13 per cent increase to carer’s allowance, we have our interim headquarters and are recruiting the first staff.
“Many people and organisations have played their part in creating this Bill and we are grateful to them all. It is a milestone piece of legislation which provides the foundation for a social security service built on dignity, fairness and respect.”
Freeman made concessions in recent days in response to appeals from politicians and campaigners, including a decision to rely on clinical judgment rather than a time limit when defining a terminal illness for Scotland’s social security system.
The Scottish Government also backed an amendment from Green MSP Alison Johnstone to ensure that disabled people do not have to go through “unnecessary” medical assessments to claim benefits.
But they rejected a Labour bid to top up child benefit. Freeman insisted there were better ways to fight poverty.
However, there remain concerns about how prepared the SNP are to take control of the new benefits.
An Audit Scotland report warned the Government have a lot of work to do to ensure a smooth transition. Tory welfare spokesman
Jeremy Balfour said: “Our concerns regarding the difficulty of implementing these new powers and the lack of preparedness of the SNP remain.
“The SNP previously wasted millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money and created enormous confusion with new IT systems.
“The recent warnings from the Auditor General regarding staffing levels must not be taken lightly.”
Scottish Labour welfare spokesman Mark Griffin attacked the SNP for opposing the child benefit plan. He said: “Instead of backing Labour’s plans to make Scotland fairer, the SNP have joined forces with the Tories to vote it down.”
A total of 1.4million Scots receive the new devolved benefits and they are worth about £3.3billion a year.
The transfer of powers is being staggered, with the benefits system due to be fully operational by 2021.
The payments will be administered by a new social security agency, based in Dundee and Glasgow, with 1500 jobs split across the sites. The first payments will be made later this year.