Briefing for stage 3 debate of Social Security (Scotland)(Amendment) Bill

CPAG welcomes this Bill. It will enhance administration of the Scottish social security system and improve the experience of the individuals who use it. There are, however, still areas of the Bill that must be strengthened at Stage 3. In this briefing we set out key amendments we urge MSPs to support, and other key issues we believe need addressed in debate.

Amendments to support 

• Remove the need for a further re-determination after a decision is changed pending appeal, (amendments 5-8,13,14, Jeremy Balfour MSP)

• Tidying up amendments having removed the need to identify an error before a decision can be changed pending appeal (amendments 9 – 12,15, Shirley-Anne Somerville Cabinet Secretary) 

• Determinations as part of an appeal (amendment 16, Shirley-Anne Somerville Cabinet Secretary) 

• Allow process appeals to progress to the Upper Tribunal (amendments 17&18, Jeremy Balfour MSP) 

• Duty to uprate benefits (amendment 1, Shirley-Anne Somerville Cabinet Secretary) 

Other key issue for debate 

• Power to make provisions for late applications for assistance