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From YouTube: Ministerial Statement: Dignity and Respect in Scotland's Social Security System - 26 September 2018
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Ministerial Statement: Dignity and Respect in Scotland's Social Security System
Read the full transcript of this Ministerial Statement in the Scottish Parliament Official Report: https://bit.ly/2R3IH0B
A
Orvil,
you
must
be
wondering
what
was
up
to
I'm
wondering
why
I'm
up
to
the
90s
age,
where
business
is
a
statement
by
Shirley,
Ann,
Somerville
and
dignity
and
respect
and
Scotland's
Social
Security
system,
the
cabinet
sector
will
take
questions
at
the
adverse
statement.
There
would
be
no
interventions
and
interruptions,
I
call
on
Shirley
on
Somerville
cabinets.
Actually
10
minutes,
please.
My
apologies.
B
Comment,
presiding
officer
but
I'd
like
to
thank
the
chamber
and
have
the
pleasure
to
address
the
chamber
today
and
my
new
role
as
cabinet
secretary
for
Social
Security
and
older
people.
It
is
just
13
months
since
the
Scotland
act
2016,
which
devolved
powers
over
security,
social
security
to
this
Parliament,
and
yet
in
that
time
we've
had
the
legislative
framework
for
delivering
benefits
through
the
Social
Security
Act,
passed
unanimously
by
this
Parliament
five
months
ago.
B
We
have
delivered
our
first
benefit
payments
with
caterers
receiving
The,
Killers
11:00
supplement
increasing
their
financial
support
by
442
pounds
a
year
and
assuming
the
DWP
keep
pace
and
plans,
we
will
deliver.
The
first
base
start
grants
by
Christmas
over
six
months
ahead
of
schedule.
In
addition,
we
are
establishing
a
new
social
security
chamber.
Making
provision
for
an
upper
tribunal
in
the
Scottish
revenue
system
to
here
devolve
benefits,
appeals
and
have
launched
our
consultation
on
the
young
carers
grant.
None
of
this
has
been
simple
or
straightforward.
B
We
are
carrying
out
a
difficult
and
complex
transfer
of
benefits
and
powers
that
will
impact
on
1.4
million
people
across
the
country.
So
I'd
like
to
pay
tribute
to
the
stakeholders
and
expert
groups,
our
engagement
panels,
who
have
done
so
much
to
support
the
Scottish
Government
and
keeping
up
the
pace
to
deliver
the
Social
Security
system,
Scotland
needs
and
desires
that
hard
work
is
very
much
appreciated.
I
would
also
like
to
pay
tribute
and
record
my
thanks
to
my
predecessor,
Jean
Freeman,
for
her
commitment
and
dedication
in
getting
us
to
this
point.
B
B
This
has
shown
that
an
in-house
approach
will
deliver
on
our
principles.
We
have
also
consulted
with
stakeholders
and
sought
advice
from
the
expert
advisory
group
on
disability
and
carers
benefits
led
by
dr.
John
McCormack,
who
which
fully
backs
our
in-house
approach.
As
we
further
develop
our
model
over
the
coming
months.
We
will,
of
course,
continue
this
engagement
and
I
greatly
value
all
of
their
input
in
ensuring
that
we
deliver
a
service
which
is
right
for
the
people
of
Scotland
presiding
officer,
to
deliver
a
successful
disability
assessment
process.
B
We
have,
of
course,
considered
what
is
needed
form
a
social
security
system
that
ensures
dignity
and
respect
at
every
stage.
We
have
also
looked
at
what
does
not
work
for
people
throughout
our
engagement
with
individuals.
We
have
repeatedly
heard
about
the
stress
and
trauma
caused
to
ill
and
disabled
people
by
the
UK
government's
current
assessment
system,
a
system
that
is
feeling
people
and
has
been
widely
criticised,
including
by
the
Westminster
working
tensions,
committee
inquiry
and
the
United
Nations
Committee
on
the
rights
of
persons
with
disabilities.
B
So
we
have
learned
the
lessons
of
their
failure
and
we
have
taken
account
of
the
two
independent
reports
of
poll
Glee
on
the
failures
of
the
UK
government's
personal
independence,
payments
assessments
and
his
subsequent
recommendations,
presiding
officer,
this
government
has
ruled
out
the
use
of
private
contractors
in
the
deliverability
of
disability
assessments
in
April
2017
and
then
in
April
2018.
This
commitment
was
enshrined
in
the
Social
Security
Act
by
ensuring
that
no
one
will
be
forced
to
undergo
an
assessment
carried
out
by
a
private
sector
provider.
B
It
is
clear
that
the
UK
government
are
content
with
an
approach
that
sees
private
sector
assessment
providers,
prioritize
profits
over
people.
This
government
keeps
people
first
and
foremost.
We
will
not
see
individual
assessments
farmed
out
to
private
companies.
The
experience
people
have
when
trying
to
access
disability
assistance
is
the
responsibility
of
government
from
application
to
award.
We
will
provide
a
service
and
will
manage
performance,
quality
and
outcomes.
It
is
this
approach
that
will
see
dignity
and
respect
embedded
throughout
and
ensure
people
can
trust
in
the
benefits
system.
B
The
Scottish
Government
remains
committed
to
significantly
reducing
the
proportion
of
people
required
to
attend
a
face-to-face
assessment.
It
is
enshrined
in
legislation.
Individuals
should
not
be
required
to
do
so
unless,
unless
it
is
the
only
practicable
way
to
make
a
decision
about
their
entitlement,
so
when
a
face
to
face
assessment
is
carried
out,
I
will
make
sure
the
process
is
right
for
people
and
I
would
therefore
like
to
update
the
chamber
on
for
clear
actions
on
that
process.
B
These
actions
have
again
been
developed
following
consultation
with
stakeholders
and
extends
montañés
extensive
engagement
with
experienced
panel
members
and
our
expert
advisory
group.
It
is
clear
to
me
that
the
current
UK
government
disability
assessment
system
has
not
been
designed
to
prioritize
needs
of
the
individual
being
assessed.
Instead,
it
is
structured
to
maximize
case
volume
to
deter
flexibility
and
to
ensure
rigid
compliance.
We
have
heard
from
a
great
many
people
about
their
dissatisfaction
with
the
way
in
assessments
are
organized,
including
people
who
have
had
to
travel
for
hours
to
get
to
assessments.
B
The
first
refers
for
actions
I
want
to
outline
is
that
we
will
put
the
needs
of
the
individual
at
the
center
of
our
system
by
providing
greater
choice
and
control.
Therefore,
I
can
announce
that
individuals
will
be
provided
with
choice
and
flexibility,
taking
into
account
the
distance.
These
people
are
expected
to
travel
and
their
location
preferences
when
invited
to
assessment.
It
will
be
at
a
time
that
suits
them.
B
Secondly,
for
those
who
have
difficulty
traveling
to
an
assessment
center,
I
will
ensure
that
we
have
a
service
that
can
deliver
home
based
assessments
to
those
who
need
them.
Thirdly,
presiding
officer
is
an
action
to
build
trust
with
people
who
currently
have
no
trust
in
a
DWP
assessment
process,
which
is
exacerbated
by
a
lack
of
transparency.
B
Therefore,
I
can
announce.
We
will
introduce
the
audio
recording
of
assessments
as
standard.
We
want
people
to
be
confident
in
the
knowledge
that
there
is
an
accurate
record
of
all
that
has
been
said
during
their
assessment.
Recording
will
also
provide
Assessors
with
an
additional
tool
that
they
can
access.
When
writing
assessment
reports
and
ensuring
reports
are
an
accurate
reflection
of
the
assessment.
It
is
our
intention
that
a
properly
functioning
assessment
system,
robust
decision-making
and
a
thorough
redetermination
process
will
bring
about
a
marked
reduction
in
a
number
of
decisions
which
are
taken
to
appeal.
B
We
recognize,
however,
that
in
any
social
security
system
there
will
be
instances
where
individuals
challenge
the
decision
made
about
their
entitlement,
and
they
should
do
so,
and
we
want
to
get
the
appeals
right.
So
I
can
announce
my
fourth
action,
which
is
that
we
will
ensure
that
the
tribunal
can
also
use
the
audio
recording
to
inform
their
determination,
presiding
officer.
I
am
proud
of
what
has
been
achieved
so
far
and
of
the
actions
I
have
outlined
today.
B
They
are
a
further
demonstration
of
how
we
will
embed
dignity,
fairness
and
respect
and
everything
we
do
and
I
look
forward
to
further
up
teasing
this
chamber
on
progress
towards
delivering
Scotland's
system
of
disability
assistance.
The
Scottish
Government
will
continue
with
the
kind
of
innovative
engagement
which
has
led
to
the
proposals
I
have
outlined
today,
and
we
will
continue
to
build
a
social
security
system
that
the
people
of
Scotland
want
and
deserve.
B
A
C
Thank
You
presiding
officer
and
can
I
thank
the
cabinet
secretary
for
advance
sight
of
her
first
statement.
We
would
also
like
to
welcome
the
commencement
of
the
delivery
of
devolved
benefits
and
add
our
thanks
to
all
those
who
have
helped
the
process.
Last
October,
a
Scottish
government
report
highlighted
the
clear
divergence
in
pip
award
rates
between
local
authorities
across
Scotland.
C
The
report
stated
that
for
new
claimants
award
rates
varied
between
52
percent
in
eastern
Burtenshaw
and
37
percent
in
Dundee
City
can
ii
have
annette
secretary
advised
me
whether
there
has
been
any
investigation
and
evaluation
as
to
why
the
success
rates
of
pit
claimants
varied
across
scotland,
and
also
can
she
further
assure
this
parliament
that
there
will
be
robust,
ongoing
analysis
and
quick
response
to
any
such
variations
in
the
new
system.
To
ensure
equality
of
outcome
for
claimants
can
be
faked.
B
B
That's
exactly
why
we
believe
that
it
is
being
delivered
in-house
I
would
gently
point
out
her
that
the
problems
with
the
current
in
wards
under
the
UK
government
are
exactly
a
demonstration
of
why
it
will
be
gratefully
received
by
people
across
the
country
that
the
Scottish
Government
will
be
looking
at
disability
Awards
in
the
future.
The
challenge
that
we
have
at
the
moment
is
that
isn't
within
the
Scottish
PAP
is:
should
the
Scottish
Parliament's
a
gift
to
do
anything
about
it,
we'll
be
student,
and
we
will
see
a
very
different
system
when
it
is
mark.
D
You
presiding
officer,
thank
you,
cabinet,
secretary,
for
advance
that
your
statement
and
welcome
to
your
new
rule
and
statement
is
very
very
welcome.
It
seems
like
only
yesterday,
I
was
out
doing
with
your
predecessor
that
it
was
in
fact
possible
to
include
a
legal
ban
on
the
private
sector
carrying
out
these
assessments
I'm
glad
the
government
failing
listening
to
those
in
the
Labour
benches,
are
no
moving
on
to
delivery.
D
The
cabinet
secretary
spoke
at
length
about
the
assessment
process,
which
is
very
important,
but
disabled
people
are
also
desperate
to
know
what
the
criteria
there
will
be
assessed
against
the
and
the
value
of
that
assistance
can
a
cabinet
secretary
say
a
timetable
of
when
the
qualifying
criteria
and
value
of
disability
assessments
will
be
publicly
of
publicly
available
and
finally
cabinet
secretary.
Your
government
recently
began
attend
the
process
for
the
design
of
the
new
assessment
process.
D
B
Thanked
for
his
questions,
as
as
he
well
knows,
the
Scottish,
Government
and
Jean
Freeman
made
the
commitment,
as
I
said
during
my
statement,
that
there
would
be
no
private
sector
involvement
a
year
before
the
the
act
or
the
bill
went
through
in
Parliament,
but
I
think
it's
now
acknowledged
that
the
Parliament
has
them
has
wished
for
that
to
be
in
statute
and
I.
Think
that
was
absolutely
the
right
decision
to
do
in
terms
of
the
the
next
steps.
B
I
very
much
see
the
the
statement
that
I'm
making
today
as
laying
the
foundations
for
what
the
disability
assessment
process
will
look
like.
We
still
have
some
work
to
do
on
the
details
of
that.
So,
for
example,
they
expert
advisory
group
are
currently
working
through
a
sources
of
evidence
for
making
benefit
decisions,
the
meaning
of
suitable,
suitably
qualified
Assessors
and
the
duration
of
the
wards.
That
is
the
next
steps
that
were
coming
from
the
advisory
group
and
their
duty
gift
that
advice
to
me
by
the
end
of
this
year,
and
we
respond
in
G
course.
B
A
E
E
B
Let's
thank
Allison
Johnson
for
her
questioner.
I
met
with
a
colleagues
from
inclusion
Scotland
this
morning,
and
many
of
the
people
who
I
made
talked
to
me
a
very
vividly
about
their
personal
experience
going
through
this
process
in
the
stress
and
the
ill
health
that
that
has
exacerbated
I,
made
the
commitment
to
them
and
make
the
commitment
to
the
chamber,
though
we
are
absolutely
determined
to
bring
down
markedly
the
amount
of
face-to-face,
a
assessments
that
are
taking
place.
B
F
You
residing
officer
and
welcome
the
cabinet's
attribute
to
her
role.
The
flight
merci
outlined
in
the
new
proposals
is
very
welcome,
but
what
assurances
can
the
cabinet
secretary
give
to
those
people
who
are
waiting
for
assessment,
but
that
flexibility
is
not
going
to
lead
to
accelerated
waiting
times
cabinet
secretary
I.
B
Would
guess
the
assurance
to
those
who
will
be
going
through
this
process
that
we
are
determined
to
get
it
right
for
them?
And
that
includes
the
amount
of
time
that
it
takes
to
go
through
the
Crusades
again.
I
heard
this
morning
about
the
distress
and
anxiety
about
waiting
for
the
assessment,
a
process
aimed
to
conclude
and
then
the
further
strength.
B
Usually
when
you
find
out
that
you
need
to
go
for
an
appeal,
because
the
assessment
process
has
gone
against
you
that
flexibility
will
be
on
built,
and
we
have
the
assurance
that
social
security
Scotland
aim
will
be
adequately
staffed
and
funded
to
deliver.
That
in
due
course
for
the
people
that
are
going
through
the
process.
G
Officer
assessments
for
both
Pepin
est
under
the
UK
government
of
the
NIC
and
negative
and
distressing
effect
on
my
constituents.
Can
the
cabinet's
the
extra
set
the
next
steps?
The
scores
have
more
take
to
assure
that
the
new
Scottish
system
will
get
this
rate
for
people,
but
importantly
because
she
provide
any
assurances
that
both
disabled
people
and
the
disability
expert
group
will
be
meaningfully
involved
in
the
process,
including
the
criteria
on
an
ongoing
basis,
cabinet
secretary.
A
B
B
That's
why
the
engagement
we've
had
with
our
experienced
panels
and
why
the
engagement
we've
had
with
our
expert
advisor
group
has
been
absolutely
critical
to
ensure
that
they
are
at
the
heart
of
everything
we
do
from
designing
the
system
building
the
system
and
then
what
that
system
feels
like
as
you
go
through
it
so
I'm
more
than
happy
to
give
that
reassurance
to
members
today
that
we
will
continue
that
type
of
inclusive
engagement
in
is
exactly
what's
needed
to
ensure
that
we
deliver
the
benefit
system.
That
will
be
rate
for
the
people
who
we
serve.
B
H
I
remind
members
that
I
am
in
the
heat
of
a
pit
and
had
been
through
the
assessment
process.
Myself
can
I
welcome
the
cabinet,
Secretary's
statement
and
ask
two
quick
questions.
Firstly,
I
welcome
up
the
new
agency,
we'll
be
doing
it
in-house,
but
how
will
we
maintain
that
the
assessments
are
independent
and
will
be
seen
as
an
independent
document,
not
something
used
by
the
agency
and
said.
B
The
process
which
individuals
will
go
through
needs
to
be
one
that
they
have
faith
in
that
they
can
trust
is
looking
who
and
their
application
and
the
impact
on
their
lives.
That's
why
we've
brought
this
process
in-house
it
to
deal
with
some
of
the
challenges
that
Jeremy
Balfour
quite
rightly
raised.
B
I
do
believe
that
the
decisions
we've
taken
around
how
we
will
be
delivering
the
assessment
process
we'll
be
able
to
give
that
reassurance
to
people
and
also
then,
the
transparency
which
were
building
into
that
system,
for
example,
the
ability
to
see
their
assessment
reports
the
the
audio
announcement
that
I
also
made
today
that
transparency,
along
with
the
in-house
a
well
I,
hope
empty
corn.
Some
of
the
points
that
Jeremy
Balfour
they
brought
up
today,
Thank.
B
The
most
important
issue,
I
think
when
we
look
at
cess
of
performance,
is
that
how
the
Assessors
will
be
recruited
and
trains
will
be
to
ensure
that
they
have
the
right
attitude,
attributes
and
the
right
attitude
for
the
job.
We
need
to
ensure
that
everyone
that's
working
for
the
agency
and
that
includes
Assessors,
has
embraced
the
ethos
of
dignity,
fairness
and
respect.
B
That's
the
again
behind
the
criteria
that
we
that
we
choose
to
make
the
service
in-house
I
do
believe,
because
the
agency
has
direct
oversight
of
Assessor
performance
and
the
assessments
that
they're
carry
and
I
will
also
mean
that
we
can
make
improvements.
We
are
necessary
in
a
swift
and
positive
manner.
Call
him.
J
George
Adam,
the
cabinet
secretary,
says
she
wants
to
get
the
appeal
system
right.
When
will
the
cabinet
secretary
report
to
Parliament
the
number
of
Appeals
that
may
drop
off
following
unsuccessful,
redeterminations
and
well
should
be
appointing
new
judges
to
refresh
the
tribunal
system?
Thank
you,
cabinet
secretary.
A
B
B
It
is
very
important
that
we
get
that
right
to
refer
back
to
one
of
the
points
I
made
earlier
about
trying
to
ensure
that
we
have
a
face
to
face
assessment
and
we
have
the
right
decision
making
in
place
to
ensure
that
we
do
not
need
as
much
redeterminations.
We
don't
need
as
much
Appeals
and
the
tribunals
process
is
less
under
in
demand.
B
It
will
be
to
ensure
that
that
is
a
fully
staffed
and
adequately
am
sure
that
judiciary's
isn't
a
good
place
to
be
able
to
deal
with
the
cases
that
has
it
without
building
up
a
system,
that's
bigger
than
it
needs
to
be,
for
the
small
amount
of
benefits
that
we
have
at
the
time.
But
as
I
say,
I'm
happy
to
go
through
that
in
front
of
detail.
A
A
K
Followed
by
Glynn
Samson,
Thank,
You,
presiding
officer
as
the
Cabinet,
a
chair,
weird
of
the
work
of
the
House
of
Commons.
What
can
patient
committee
inquiry
and
to
the
UK
government
anny
se,
the
phone
app
of
pervasive
lack
of
trust
has
undermined
the
operation
of
pepper
and
ESA
assessments.
How
does
the
cabinet's
actually
plan
to
build
trust
and
what
is
thought
of
by
many
people
living
with
disabilities?
No.
A
A
B
Adams
is
a
very
important
point
around
a
trust
and,
as
I
said
during
my
statement,
there
is
no
trust
in
the
current
system
run
by
DWP.
I
do
recognize
that
we
need
to
ensure
that
we
have
trust
in
our
system,
and
that
is
difficult
when
we
are
starting
a
new
service,
but
that
in
essence,
is
also
the
answer
to
the
question.
We
are
not
looking
at
making
slight
changes
to
a
faulty
system,
we're
not
looking
to
tinker
around
the
edges,
that's
what
the
DWP
has
and
will
continue
to
do.
We
are
building
our
new
system.
B
L
B
Well,
this
is
one
of
the
areas
that,
as
I
mentioned,
I
think
earlier
that
the
expert
advisory
group
will
be
looking
at
in
great
detail.
They
will
look,
for
example,
at
what
is
a
suitably
qualified
Assessor
and
who
that
will
be
and
I
think
it's
quite
right
that
I
wait
for
the
expert
advisory
group
it
to
look
into
that.
We're
also
ensuring
that
discussions
are
ongoing
with
ill
health
and
disability
benefits.
They
call
the
reference
group
as
well,
which
includes
representatives
from
the
British
Medical
Association
and
the
NHS.
B
There
has
been
significant
ministerial
engagement
with
key
and
the
red,
the
medical
profession
too,
and
know
that
we
have
made
the
decisions
that
I've
announced
today
we'll
be
able
to
open
that
up
and
still
further,
so
I
await
the
recommendations
and
the
advice
from
the
expert
advisory
group
that
will
put
more
detail
into
the
Foundation's
that
I
have
set
out
today.
Thank.
M
B
Very
well
aware
of
the
current,
a
very
high
turnover
rate
for
those
that
are
providing
assessments
on
behalf
of
the
DWP.
As
I
said
earlier,
we
are
committed
to
building
an
entirely
different
system
and
therefore
an
entirely
different
culture
to
that
under
the
DWP
and
that's
important,
not
just
for
those
who
are
going
through
an
assessment,
but
also
for
those
that
are
carrying
out
the
assessment
and
as
well.
B
N
B
A
O
B
The
challenge
there
are
many
challenges
with
the
current
DWP
system,
but
there
are
specific
challenges
which
affect
those
in
rural
and
remote
areas,
and
we
need
to
ensure
that
the
system
that
we
have
delivers
no
matter
where
people
live
and
they
need
to
have
an
access,
the
same
quality
of
service
from
Scotland
social
security
system.
That's
why,
as
I
said
before,
wherever
possible,
we'll
make
our
assessment
decisions
that
are
death
based
to
reduce
the
requirement
for
face
to
face
assessments,
but
where
the
assessment
as
necessary
will
ensure
that
the
needs
of
the
person
are
considered.