The Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, has initiated the process of devolving welfare powers to Holyrood in preparation for a change to the benefits system. The new pension age disability payment (PADP) in Scotland will replace the attendance allowance (AA), a payment of up to £108 a week to assist individuals with physical or mental disabilities who are of state pension age or older.
Scheduled for October 21, the PADP will be administered by the devolved Social Security Scotland and will function similarly to the AA. This move stems from the powers over welfare granted to Scotland in 2016, following commitments made by the UK government during the 2014 independence referendum campaign.
During his first Parliamentary debate as Scottish Secretary, Mr. Murray will commence the process for a Scotland Act order to formalize the new benefit. This order aims to ensure that pensioners do not miss out on any reserved benefits they are entitled to under the current AA system, such as the Christmas bonus or carers’ allowance.
Mr. Murray emphasized the importance of resetting the relationship between Scotland’s two governments, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the UK and Scottish governments to ensure that Scottish citizens benefit from these changes. He views this as devolution in action, showing how the two governments can work together for the betterment of Scots.
Scotland Acts are instrumental in adjusting the powers of the Scottish Parliament, with the Section 104 order expected to be confirmed later this month. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville expressed that the PADP will be the 15th benefit introduced by the Scottish Government since 2018, with a focus on providing support to approximately 1.2 million individuals in Scotland.
She emphasized that the PADP aims to ensure that disabled individuals of all ages in Scotland receive support from a social security system that values dignity, fairness, and respect. The Scottish government’s swift introduction of benefits reflects their commitment to improving the welfare of its citizens and signifies a step towards a more inclusive and supportive social security system for all residents of Scotland.