SCOTTISH Labour has branded the rollout of Social Security Scotland a “shambles” on the fifth anniversary of its creation.

The Scotland Act 2016, acting on the agreed recommendations of the post-referendum Smith commission, devolved significant social security powers to the Scottish Parliament, which included support related to disabilities, carers, maternity and the housing component of universal credit.

However, the Scottish government repeatedly delayed implementation of the powers amid the complicated birth of the agency to deliver it, Social Security Scotland (SSS) in 2018.

The most high-profile outcomes from its creation have been the Scottish Child Payment in 2021, a top-up benefit now worth £25 a week for low-income families; and the Scottish replacement for PIP (personal independence payment), the adult disability payment (ADP).

SSS came under fire last month as it was revealed that waits for ADP payments were on average 16 weeks, compared to a 14 week average for PIP in England; while carers have expressed frustration that the agency may not take on their payments for another 18 months to 2025.

A £39 million overspend on their computer system, and additional running costs of £76.5m have only added to its woes.

Scottish Labour social security spokesman Paul O’Kane said: “The SNP has broken its promise to Scotland with its disastrous failure to use our social security powers.

“Five years of SNP failure has left Scots at the mercy of the cruel and callous Tory-run DWP and bungled the delivery of the payments they have taken on.

“Disabled people are waiting months for lifeline support and people are at risk of being shortchanged on cold weather support during the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.

“All this incompetent SNP government has done is replace one broken system with another.”