CONSULTATION

Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance, in her position as Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, launched a public consultation looking for the public’s views on the benefits being devolved to Scotland as well as how they are delivered.

The consultation is designed to gather views from as many people as possible about their own experience of benefits and how they think the system could be improved.

The Scottish Parliament will be able to make legislation in relation to a limited number of benefits,including disability and carers payments. Once fully devolved, this will account for around £2.7 billion or 15 per cent of the total Scottish benefit bill.

The process to transfer powers from Westminster to Scotland has started and the first social security bill will be brought to Holyrood before the end of the first year of this Parliament. Information and evidence from the consultation will help in the development and drafting of the bill.

Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley said: “We are working to use these powers as quickly we can to improve people’s lives. We have the opportunity to create a social security system which treats people fairly, with dignity and respect.”

The consultation runs until Friday, October 28, and can be found at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/ social-security/ social- security-in- scotland