Question reference: S6W-23901
- Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 14 December 2023
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 January 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for the processing of claims at Social Security Scotland.
Answer
The most recent Adult and Child Disability Payment statistics show improvement, with more applications being processed in the last quarter than at any time since the benefits were launched – underlining the strong progress Social Security Scotland are making.
The most recent published statistics show the average processing time for Scottish Child Payment and Adult Disability payments had both reduced, but we recognise there is more to do.
It was announced in the budget that we will invest £6.3 billion in social security benefits and payments, over £1 billion more than in 2023-24 – our single biggest increase on record in social security funding.
Social Security Scotland now administers 14 benefits to the people of Scotland, helping deliver our national mission to tackle child poverty and inequality, treating people with dignity, fairness and respect, and ensuring people receive the benefits they are due. 94% of clients rate their overall experience of receiving benefits as good or very good.