SNP set to ban the word 'benefits' from new social security agency

Responsibility for ill health and disability benefits is being devolved to MSPs, with social security minister Jeane Freeman revealing she believes there is "value in looking at whether we continue to use the word 'benefits'" when that happens.

The SNP government has already made clear its ambition to place "dignity, fairness and respect" at the heart of the new social security system.

Ms Freeman said: "I do think there is value in looking at whether or not we continue to use the word 'benefit', because there is an implication in there that is the rest of us doing something nice for somebody else, when actually what we have said consistently as a government is that social security is an investment we make collectively in ourselves.

"Part of how you make dignity, fairness and respect real as opposed to just fine words is about the culture that the organisation that will deliver those benefits embraces, and how people receive that in their dealings with that organisation.

"There are some things you can do to affect quite quick cultural change, and part of that is around language and thinking, so there is value in looking at whether or not we don't simply call these payments, as opposed to benefits, or some other word."

Ms Freeman, who was elected to Holyrood in May, made the comments as she and Social Security Secretary Angela Constance launched a consultation on how benefits being devolved to Scotland should be delivered.

With welfare payments for those suffering from ill health or disability amongst those being transferred from Westminster, Ms Constance made clear her reluctance for private firms "motivated by making profit" being responsible for carrying out health assessments.

The Scottish Government is considering whether people with some medical conditions should automatically receive help.

On the question of who would carry out any assessments for other payments, Ms Constance said: "We would have a great reticence about folk who are motivated by making profit being involved in the social security system."

The Social Security Secretary described Holyrood taking responsibility for part of the existing welfare system as "the biggest and most complex programme of change, probably in the history of devolution".

A Social Security Bill is expected to be introduced to Holyrood in May or June of next year while the proposed new Scottish social security agency could be making payments to people before the 2021 elections.

Payments such as disability living allowance, personal independence payments, attendance allowance, severe disablement allowance and industrial injuries disabled benefit will become the responsibility of MSPs, as well as carer's allowance - which the Scottish Government has already committed to increasing to the same level as jobseeker's allowance.

Other benefits being devolved include sure start maternity grants - which are to be changed to best start grants - funeral payments, cold weather and winter fuel payments, discretionary housing payments and some powers over Universal Credit.

Westminster will retain responsibility for much of the Universal Credit system, along with pensions, child benefit and maternity and paternity pay.

Ms Constance and Ms Freeman launched the consultation at a Macmillan Hub at the Pearce Institute in Govan, Glasgow, where cancer patients can receive advice on their entitlements.

Ms Constance said: "We have already committed to a number of measures that will benefit people in Scotland, including increasing carer's allowance to the level of jobseeker's allowance, and replacing the sure start maternity grant with an expanded maternity and early years allowance (now called the best start grant).

"However, we want to gather views from as many people as possible from across Scotland about their own experience of benefits and how they think the system could be improved in the future."

Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland said the new powers should be used to improve the lives of those children and families who are being failed by the social security system.

The group called on the Scottish Government to keep the system as simple as possible to avoid people being left without necessities such as food.

Director John Dickie said: "It's vital that Scotland use these new powers to ensure that social security is adequate to meet the needs of struggling families across Scotland, that the system for accessing benefits is straightforward and treats people with real dignity and respect, and that devolved benefits are delivered at a national Scotland level to ensure consistency, accountability and the very best possible quality of service."

The Public and Commercial Services Union, whose members include staff currently delivering welfare services through the Department for Work and Pensions, said ministers must avoid a "postcode lottery" in the delivery of benefits.

Lynn Henderson, national officer for Scotland, said: "Our clear view is that social security in Scotland must remain centralised within civil and public services.

"Regionalisation of welfare administration or delivery through local bodies would have the potential of a race to the bottom and a postcode lottery.

"We must be clear that benefits levels and their delivery framework must not adopt a marketised model if we are to improve social security for people in all parts of Scotland."

Zhan McIntyre, policy lead at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: "If we use these powers effectively and a robust Scottish social security system is set up, it will go a long way to helping hard-up families, as well as alleviating the pressures of the UK Government's welfare reform on Scotland's housing associations."

Scottish Labour social security spokesman Mark Griffin said: "The new powers coming to our Scottish Parliament give us the opportunity to build a Scottish welfare state with dignity at its heart.

"We can do things differently now. With the power to top up and create new benefits, there is a huge opportunity to tackle poverty and inequality in Scotland.

"Labour will support the Government where they show ambition in social security but we will not allow the SNP to simply pass on Tory cuts."