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:
Marie Curie has published new analysis showing that almost one in three people in Scotland die without the palliative care they need.
Continue readingShare your views before 19 February
Continue readingReform of the council tax system is long overdue, with the current system negatively impacting funding for services including social care.
Continue readingFirst monitoring report shows improvements in wellbeing and services alongside ongoing gaps in data and unequal outcomes
Continue readingProgress in many areas is welcome, but the budget must go further on social care, mental health and third sector support.
Continue readingThe 'joint statement on prevention' partners have issued a follow-up ahead of the 2026-27 Scottish Budget.
Continue readingEvent calls for human rights to be a priority ahead of the Scottish Parliament Elections in 2026.
Continue readingCommission raises concerns over the state of economic, social and cultural rights in Scotland
Continue readingNew online platform invites individuals and communities to shape Scotland’s path to net zero
Continue readingA survey of ALLIANCE third sector members found a worsening financial crisis arising from a range of pressures.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has produced a briefing for the Scottish Parliament debate on BSL, taking place on 11 December 2025.
Continue readingScottish Government outline actions in response to economic, social and cultural rights observations
The plan comes in response to the Concluding Observations from the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights earlier this year.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE urges stronger social care integration, a clearer prevention focus and digital inclusion at the heart of NHS Delivery proposals
Continue readingNearly half of unpaid carers cut back on essentials as financial and health pressures intensify
Continue readingNew report warns thousands spending their final months in financial hardship and fuel poverty
Continue readingIndependent expert panel review recommends major changes to align abortion law with modern clinical practice
Continue readingALLIANCE and Engender call for an intersectional and rights-based approach to underpin a national investigation into maternity services.
Continue readingThe response welcomes ambition of draft standards but identifies key gaps in inclusion and communication
Continue readingThe Civil Society Working Group on Incorporation - of which the ALLIANCE is a member - has three main asks.
Continue readingMost respondents supported the principle of a balance between cross-cutting and condition-specific work.
Continue readingAny extension of Freedom of Information duties directly to the third sector must account for resource and capacity.
Continue readingThe Scottish Government are aiming for a single framework alongside time-limited action plans that can be condition-specific where required.
Continue readingNow is the time for a full-throated defence of the ECHR and HRA. No one has human rights, unless we all have human rights.
Continue readingHave your say in the draft 'Quality prescribing for Chronic Pain: a guide for improvement 2026-2029'.
Continue reading70% of disabled women reported feeling worse off financially compared to last year.
Continue reading