A new future for social security in Scotland
The Scottish Government is due to launch its consultation on the future of social security in Scotland.
Running at a hefty 144 pages, the overarching consultation document will:
- Comprise an overarching consultation with sections that can be ‘spun off’ for closer engagement with specific interest and representative groups;
- Seek views on the use of devolved competence – for example whether powers need to be widened to provide flexibility for changes to individual benefits;
- Ask how best to provide a statutory basis – for example should there be a claimants’ charter;
- Discuss how to build an over-arching legal framework for social security – what cross cutting rules should there be for multiple benefits, for example on residency, reviews etc.; and
- Consider requirements for impact assessments such as equality impacts etc.
The consultation period will last for 12 weeks, with an October deadline for submissions.
The SFHA will be responding to the Scottish Government’s consultation on social security in Scotland to ensure that our sectors’ views are represented and to safeguard the vital income of tenants and social landlords across Scotland. If you would like any more information please get in touch with SFHA Policy Advisor, Jeremy Hewer at jhewer@sfha.co.uk.