Chamber and committees

The changes to terminal illness criteria will make a huge difference. Not only is a time limit no longer required, which is fantastic, but the award is more generous. As I understand it, with PIP someone automatically gets the enhanced rate of the daily living component, whereas with ADP they get the enhanced rate of the daily living component and the enhanced rate of the mobility component. Is that change motivated by the intention to ensure that those with a terminal diagnosis get the highest possible level of financial support at the time of greatest need?

I will be quick.

Minister, you have set out clear timescales for the transfer of PIP to ADP. The history of DWP transfers suggests that such timescales are frequently missed. For example, that was the case with the transfers of DLA to PIP and of legacy benefits to universal credit. How confident are you that the timescales that you have set out will be met?

Yes, I have two further questions, convener.

Minister, you are clear, and so is SCOSS, that safe and secure transfer must be the priority before any major change to the approach is considered and that any further change will be guided by the independent review. You also indicated that the first stage of the review will focus on mobility criteria. What is the rationale for that and can you say more about the wider remit of the review?

I do not agree with Jeremy Balfour’s comments. The regulations are the key point in the biggest transfer of social security powers in our nation’s history. They are key to giving disabled people the dignity and respect that they are denied by the Westminster system.

The approach set out makes a safe and secure transfer a priority, which is how it should be, and that is what the consultation has asked for. It allows us to make changes and take a more compassionate, generous approach to claimants with terminal illness through the short-term assistance that is not provided in any other part of the UK. It recognises the financial hardship that is experienced in real life by many of our constituents, giving them more time to challenge decisions, assistance to get the best possible information to aid the decisions, and an ending of the use of the private sector assessments that cause great misery to disabled people claiming what they are due.

Those are just a few examples of what we have achieved in a short time and an independent review will help to guide us to further important change. We should therefore just agree the regulations because they take a massive step towards providing a social security system that has been long overdue.

Thank you, convener, and congratulations on your appointment.

Good morning, minister. Is it the case that if the Westminster Government got rid of the 20m rule for PIP, that would create the space for a similar change to take place in Scotland for ADP?

I thank my colleague Rona Mackay for securing this debate on such an important issue. I also draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am a serving councillor on West Dunbartonshire Council.

Everyone in this chamber and across the country has likely had at least one adverse childhood experience in their life. Those experiences are wide ranging and can include family bereavement, neglect and child abuse. ACEs are associated with poor health outcomes in the widest context. Research has indicated that they include injuries, death during childhood, premature mortality, suicide, disease, mental illness and poverty.

However, negative outcomes due to ACEs are not inevitable. Without hesitation, I signed the 70/30 motion on behalf of the residents of Clydebank and Milngavie. I represent an area that takes in part of West Dunbartonshire, which has above-average economic challenges that impact negatively on health and employment. Residents I have spoken to and visited, and people in organisations such as the excellent Alternatives project, have highlighted how their own ACEs have negatively impacted on their lives in adulthood and likely contributed to the statistics that currently reflect West Dunbartonshire. It was only when previous deep-rooted childhood experiences were brought to light that those affected could access local services and were able to move on and support others to share their stories.

With research showing a link between ACEs and the risk of experiencing a wide range of physical and mental conditions, which contribute to the issues that are faced in West Dunbartonshire, it is not surprising that the local authority is addressing the issue as a priority. The efforts of staff and volunteers need to be highlighted and commended, and I do so without hesitation today.

West Dunbartonshire Council was the first local authority to sign up to the 70/30 pledge. To promote the development of support to address the impact of ACEs, staff at West Dunbartonshire health and social care partnership organised screenings of the film “Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope”. The aim of the screenings was to develop approaches in West Dunbartonshire for developing nurturing relationships and peer support to address the toxicity of ACEs.

That led to a learning and engagement event on nurturing individuals and building resilient communities, which resulted from a collaboration between Clydebank high school, the West Dunbartonshire learning festival and the HSCP. The event was attended by 300 participants and culminated in the relaunch of the West Dunbartonshire ACEs hub, transforming it into the resilience hub.

The hub is dynamic in its actions. It is increasing awareness of ACEs and sharing information among people who work in West Dunbartonshire, including on changes to the national and local strategic context. It uses new research, new resources, video clips, training opportunities and local events. It enables networking and shares organisational news and information about access to services and referral pathways. That positive approach is sharing good work practice and information about what works, and it has stimulated additional action among individuals and organisations. The hub has 412 members, and it provides a significant opportunity to develop the approach to supporting those who are affected by adverse childhood experiences and poverty.

We would all agree that that is tremendous work by professional staff and volunteers in my constituency. The aim of the WAVE Trust’s 70/30 campaign is to eradicate poverty and reduce child abuse, neglect and other ACEs by at least 70 per cent by 2030. If all other areas across Scotland can replicate the work done in my constituency, working together to share ideas and good practice, our country will be well on the way to eradicating poverty, child abuse and ACEs by 2030.

Good morning, minister. The introduction of the suspension option is a welcome move away from the DWP’s position, as you have said. The DWP’s approach often leads to benefit entitlement being completely stopped and a new claim being required; universal credit is notorious in that regard. How confident are you that claimants, particularly those who are vulnerable, will provide adequate assistance in responding to the need for further information?

What efforts will be made by Social Security Scotland to make support networks aware of the suspension provision and what to look out for when supporting people to respond?

To ask the Scottish Government how its welfare policies have supported people in employment who have been impacted by Covid-19. (S6O-00636)

Does the minister agree that the level of statutory sick pay, which is set by the United Kingdom Government at one of the lowest rates in Europe, has been found wanting during the pandemic? Will he join me, the Scottish Trades Union Congress and anti-poverty groups in calling for an increase in statutory sick pay, ensuring that it gives the necessary financial support to those who are unable to work due to Covid-19 and other health conditions?