ALLIANCE responds to the “modernising support for independent living” green paper
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 24th July 2024
The previous UK Government had proposed reforms to the Personal Independence Payment which left many concerned.
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) have submitted a response to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) green paper on “Modernising support for independent living”, issued under the previous government in April 2024.
The ALLIANCE advocates for a human rights based approach to social security, recognising social security payments as an essential support for millions of people. We believe that as part of this it is important to ensure that there are payments specifically intended to support with the additional costs of disability.
We are therefore concerned by proposals that could see Personal Independence Payment (PIP) move away from this principle. The proposed alternative schemes set out in the green paper would be financially inadequate, stigmatising and fail to respect people’s rights and choices. At the same time, the paper appears to be rooted in the medical model of disability, rather than the social and human rights models.
The ALLIANCE recognise that disability payments are devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and we continue to be a key stakeholder for the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland as that system develops. We therefore understand that the proposals in the green paper would not automatically apply to devolved payments in Scotland.
We are nonetheless highly concerned by the implications of any significant reduction in Barnett consequentials available for social security expenditure in Scotland. These proposals also raise the possibility that changes in UK payments will either lead to a loss of ‘passporting’ for Scottish payments or force the Scottish Government to make changes against its own policy intentions. We have therefore chosen to respond to this consultation to put our concerns on record.
The ALLIANCE strongly recommends that the new UK Government does not proceed with these proposals.
You can read the full response via the resource links below.
End of page.
You may also like:
We have submitted a parallel report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for its examination of rights in the UK.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE welcome the aims of widening access to palliative care, but actions must be underpinned by resources and accountability.
Continue readingAutistic Knowledge Development and National Autistic Society Scotland celebrate the success of the Embrace Autism programme.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE wants to hear from you if you have experienced barriers to accessing Self-Directed Support.
Continue readingThe First Minister has reiterated his commitment to the continuation of Contact Scotland BSL.
Continue readingThe Policy and Public Affairs programme influenced government policy in many areas over 2024.
Continue readingRaising awareness of key areas of women’s health, challenging myths and stigma through positive dialogue, and lived experience forums.
Continue readingWhilst the draft Covenant is a positive start, it is unclear how it's aims will be realised in practice.
Continue readingWho Cares? Scotland publishes their third Lifelong Rights Issue Paper on Belonging and Connections.
Continue readingSHRC publishes State of the Nation report examining the civil and political rights of all people in Scotland.
Continue readingFill out a survey to share your experiences as a single parent in accessing higher education.
Continue readingALLIANCE signs joint letter calling on political leaders to reaffirm UK commitment to human rights obligations on Human Rights Day 2024.
Continue readingGMC Scotland have published a new report which analyses trends in the medical workforce across the UK.
Continue readingThe government is working with Public Health Scotland to support NHS Boards to operate as effective 'Anchor' institutions.
Continue readingHave your say in Public Health Scotland's (PHS) equality outcome consultation.
Continue readingNHS Education for Scotland (NES) are currently consulting on their equality outcomes for 2025-29.
Continue readingOrganisations across Scotland are urging the Scottish Government to prioritise the Scottish Human Rights Bill.
Continue readingA report from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society calls for governments across the UK to work on a strategy to manage medicine shortages.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE welcomes the announcement of a new statutory levy to tackle gambling harms.
Continue readingThe Scottish Human Rights Commission have published a report on all economic, social and cultural rights in the Highlands and Islands.
Continue readingOur briefing ahead of the 2025-26 Scottish Budget calls for a human rights based approach to funding and delivering services.
Continue readingLet's Be Heard will finish gathering experiences of the pandemic in Scotland on 29 November 2024.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE is hosting several events across December - February in support of the Scottish Government's Women's Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE have joined a new campaign group urging action on fair taxation to fund essential services including health and social care.
Continue readingEdinburgh researchers are set to examine the perspectives of deaf survivors of domestic abuse, focusing on how this trauma affects families.
Continue reading