Chamber and committees

Social Security Scotland recognises that clients can have complex and varied accessibility needs. Letters are available in a number of different languages and formats, including Braille, easy read and large print.

Before letters are changed to an alternative format, all letters are created using standard templates, in line with the Social Security Scotland style guide.

The Social Security Scotland style guide provides guidance on plain English terms and inclusive language for commonly used technical terms, such as using “benefit” or “award” over “assistance.”

Letter templates are designed using the Social Security Scotland style guide and Digital Scotland Service Standard. Templates are tested throughout the design cycle and aim to meet a Flesch Reading Ease of between 70 to 80, equivalent to school grade level 8 or reading age 9 - 11 years.

Social Security Scotland use accessible fonts, colours, and formatting options such as headings and lists to set out blocks of text for ease of reading.

Social Security Scotland work with external service providers who deliver translation services and letters in Braille and large print, in line with industry standards by following UK Association for Accessible Formats guidelines, which is the standard for UK transcribed documents.

As of 31 October 2024, 182,395 clients were in receipt of the enhanced daily living award of Adult Disability Payment.

Social Security Scotland does not currently publish statistics on clients leaving the Adult Disability Payment caseload. It also does not currently publish statistics on Adult Disability Payment by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). It also does not hold information on the employment status of clients as it is not necessary to collect information on a client’s employment to assess their application.

On 13 January 2025, the Scottish Government launched a survey for people working in or with an interest in culture. This asked about their experience of currently available support and what they would like to see provided in the future to better meet the needs of the sector.

Responses to the survey are currently being analysed and will help to inform the scope of the Scottish Government’s review of how the culture sector is supported, including exploration alternative and additional funding mechanisms to grow the overall funding pot for culture in Scotland.

The Scottish Government published a further update to the work on Scottish Government bonds alongside the 2025-26 Scottish Budget https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836910558.

This explains the outcome of the initial phase of due diligence and the work required in the next stage in the due diligence process. This phase will include timing considerations for an inaugural issuance given market conditions and related events.

The Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring Parliament is updated on this work as it progresses.

The Scottish Government spent £20,000 (excluding VAT) in 2024-25 for advice on a specification for a financial advisor to provide expertise and guidance to support an inaugural issuance. This remains the only external fees incurred to date. The civil service resource for this work is met through the DG Scottish Exchequer budget allocation.

Improving gender balance and tackling inequity within STEM learning and careers is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s STEM Education and Training Strategy. To support schools challenge long-established stereotypes, a range of resources have been developed by Education Scotland, based around understanding bias and highlighting the impact of inequality.

Education Scotland also work with organisations, including Tech She Can and Code Club, to promote female role models and provide professional learning for Computing Science teachers. In addition, the Scottish Government has provided over £800,000 to Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science (STACS) to promote Computing Science as a subject for all, helping to challenge gender stereotypes.

As a result of the STEM Education and Training Strategy, SSERC continues to deliver the Young STEM Leader Programme which enables young people to inspire, lead and mentor through delivery of inspirational STEM activities. Since its inception, over 20,000 young people have engaged with the programme, with 51% of awards being completed by female participants.

The Scottish Government is also investing in programmes designed to increase the engagement of young people in STEM activity. This includes £70,000 of funding to Digital Xtra to support their work on the development of digital technology skills and over £90,000 to support Edinburgh Science’s ‘Generation Science’ workshops and Prosper’s ‘Stemovators’ programme.

Through the Curriculum Improvement Cycle we have established a systematic approach to curriculum improvement including in respect of Science and Technology. This exercise provides a further opportunity to ensure STEM subjects are attractive to all learners, particularly girls.

The following table summarises VisitScotland’s paid media advertising spend in the UK and Republic of Ireland and international markets over the previous five financial years.

Social Security Scotland routinely publishes statistics on Adult Disability Payment caseload, broken down by mobility award level. However, it does not currently publish statistics on clients leaving the Adult Disability Payment caseload. It also does not currently publish statistics on Adult Disability Payment by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). It also does not hold information on the employment status of clients as it is not necessary to collect information on a client’s employment to assess their application.

Valuable work has been undertaken to deliver against the recommendations made by the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland.

In December 2024 work concluded to address all 55 of the recommendations, and each has now been completed or transitioned into ongoing workplans to see the remaining tasks through to completion.

A detailed report will be shared with Parliament in March 2025 outlining the rationale for this, including recommendations 52, 53 and 54, and confirming the timelines for the remaining actions to conclude.