The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
New era for benefits powers at Holyrood
Scottish Parliament approves its own system for country
Scotland’s Social Security Minister has pledged to “do things differently” as Holyrood approved legislation that will see the introduction of a new benefits system north of the border.
Jeane Freeman hailed the unanimous passing of the Social Security (Scotland) Bill as a new chapter in the history of devolution.
Responsibility for 11 welfare benefits, worth about £3 billion a year, is being transferred to Scotland in the “single biggest transfer of powers since devolution began”, she said.
The minister added: “This Bill has been an opportunity to set up a new service and to do things differently, to remake the system in a way that better fits with the ambition we have for ourselves as a Parliament and for our
“This Bill has been an opportunity to set up a new service and to do things differently.
JEANE FREEMAN, SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER
country, our shared ambition to live with dignity, fairness and respect.”
However, Labour MSPS were angered when a bid to increase child benefit payments by £5 across the board was voted down by the SNP, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
Mark Griffin, the party’s social security spokesman, said: “That simple change would have lifted 30,000 children out of poverty with the stroke of a pen.
“With foodbank use in Scotland at record levels, it is clear Scotland needs urgent action to tackle poverty and inequality.”
However, MSPS unanimously agreed a Green amendment to the legislation, which will ban “unnecessary” medical assessments for disability benefits, with applicants instead able to use existing medical reports to support a claim.
Where assessments are required, the Scottish Government has ruled out private companies carrying the tests out.
Another change will see payments of the Universal Credit benefit split between couples, so money goes to both partners instead of just one.