RESPECT and dignity will be at the heart of Scotland’s new social security powers, the Scottish Government have pledged.
Launching a paper on how the new powers being devolved should be used, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said the Scottish Government would ensure “people are treated with respect and dignity when applying for, being assessed for, and receiving disability-related benefits”.
Neil said fairness, accessibility and stability would be key to the delivery of the new powers.
The announcement came as UK and Scottish ministers met to discuss the Scotland Bill.
Tory Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell claimed the new Scotland Bill would let Holyrood top up tax credits and child benefit payments.
Mundell said: “We are on the threshold of a new era in devolution and the Scotland Bill will be a game-changer. Scottish Government ministers will be able to design a significant part of Scotland’s welfare system and control income tax to pay for it. If they want to top up existing benefits, they will be able to. If they want to introduce payments to those in short-term need or design new benefits in those welfare areas being devolved that will also be an option available to them.”
He added: “Increasingly, welfare will become a shared space between the UK and Scottish Governments ... it is vital we continue to cooperate to make sure we deliver the best system we can for the people of Scotland.”
A spokesman for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “David Mundell has said nothing new today.
“The test of the UK Government’s commitment to the Smith powers will be whether they propose a full set of amendments, deliver the powers Smith promised, and a provide fair fiscal settlement
“As the First Minister said, all parties will have to set out their plans for tax ahead of the Scottish elections.”
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