Call to change new social security legislation

A Holyrood committee has called for changes to new social security legislation to allow greater scrutiny by MSPs.

The Social Security Bill paves the way for the Scottish Government to take over the running of 11 benefits, and set up an agency to administer them.

It proposes that much of how the new system will operate in practice should be left to ministers to set out in regulations, rather than on the face of the legislation.

However in its report, the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee said it did not believe this would allow adequate scrutiny of the details.

The committee has asked the Government to come forward with proposals to address this, and recommended the creation of an independent Scottish social security advisory committee.

It has also asked ministers to clarify the legal status of a set of principles on how the new system will operate.

Committee convener Clare Adamson said: “Our committee has heard about the positive and inclusive approach the Scottish Government has taken to the Bill and this is to be welcomed.

“But how this Bill will work in practice is just as important, which is why we have asked the Government to consider again the balance between measures on the face of the Bill and those which will be in regulation.

“For something so important, it is crucial the Parliament and others have a chance to scrutinise plans.”