Latest editorial
Nicola Sturgeon visiting the Social Security Scotland offices in Dundee in September 2021
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.
Labour will find increases in the state pension age are unacceptable, just as cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, personal independence payments and universal credit are — it needs to change direction immediately, writes PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE
A new report from the Citizens Advice destroys the government narrative about disabled people ‘choosing’ not to work, showing the £3,000 annual cuts will create a two-tiered system based on claim dates rather than needs, writes DYLAN MURPHY
