Compassion of post-Indyref changes is in stark contrast to the hardline approach taken by UK

BY JOHN DINGWALL reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk what a social security service based on dignity, fairness and respect looks like.

“When we asked people what they thought of the UK welfare system, they said it was stressful, complicated and often inhumane. The powers we have are only about 16 per cent of total social security spending but we will use these to do things better.

“The changes we are making are about meeting the needs of people and I have seen for myself the difference this makes.

“I recently met a mum who cares for her children with autism. “She’s using her Carer’s Allowance Supplement to pay for days out for her children she would otherwise have been unable to afford. “In Fife, I met a mum who used her Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment to buy sensory equipment for her two-year-old daughter who has learning difficulties.”

She said several new benefits are being planned including a Scottish Child Payment, which is designed to tackle child poverty.

The minister added: “We are testing everything that we do with the people who will use or interact with our service to make sure we get it right.

“This Government has a clear vision of the kind of country we want to be.

“We are determined to make further progress on tackling inequality and reducing poverty.

Delivering our new social security system is a key part of a system that sees social security as a human right and treats people with dignity, fairness and respect.”