ALLIANCE responds to Social Security Amendment Bill calls for views
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 10th January 2024

Proposals to put the Scottish Child Payment on a firmer statutory footing and enhance choice and accountability are welcome.
Following the publication of the Social Security (Amendment) Bill this link will take you away from The Alliance website, the ALLIANCE have responded to calls for views from the Social Justice and Social Security and the Finance and Public Administration Committees on the bill’s proposals and accompanying financial memorandum. We submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s pre-legislative consultation on the Bill, and consider that many of the proposals align closely with our recommendations.
After certain powers relating to social security were devolved to Scotland, the Social Security Scotland (Act) 2018 provided a strong yet flexible framework for the delivery of devolved payments. This flexibility has been used by the Scottish Government to make some much-needed changes to how the social security system works, in particular explicitly embedding the principle that social security is a human right.
There remain however improvements that can be made to the system. Although many of these would relate to secondary legislation or to operational policies, we recognise the need for some changes in primary legislation. In our response, the ALLIANCE:
- Welcomed the proposal to establish “childhood assistance” as its own category of payment, allowing greater flexibility in delivering the Scottish Child Payment than current “top up” arrangements.
- Welcomed the introduction of more choice and accountability within the system, including the ability to withdraw a re-determination request and to challenge liability for overpayment.
- Cautioned that proposals relating to fraud and error only be applied where strictly necessary, and that individuals are reminded of their right to independent advocacy and/or advice in such circumstances.
- Called for the establishment of a successor to the Disability and Carers Benefits Expert Advisory Group (DACBEAG) to provide independent advice on social security on a permanent basis.
- Urged a wider review of disability and carer payments after the end of the safe and secure transition, and to rapidly progress work towards a Minimum Income Guarantee.
You can find the full responses via the resource links below.
End of page.
You may also like:
Have 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 readingA partnership of organisations including the ALLIANCE have issued an open statement on what's needed to urgently tackle health inequalities.
Continue readingA new plan to make sure everyone in Scotland gets the right care and support at the end of life
Continue readingNew research has highlighted the significant financial and social challenges faced by people living with Long COVID across Scotland.
Continue readingThe amendment aims to close a loophole that leaves people in outsourced mental health care without guaranteed human rights protections.
Continue readingThe resources come from a partnership between the ALLIANCE, Public Health Scotland, and the University of Strathclyde.
Continue readingThe research explores the experiences of people with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) navigating the welfare benefits system.
Continue readingPublic Health Scotland is consulting on its new 10-year strategy.
Continue readingTwo years after the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, the ALLIANCE asks: Where are we?
Continue readingSPSO updates complaints handling principles to support a positive, learning-focused culture around raising and resolving complaints.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE welcomes the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland’s publication of the Seldom-Heard Groups Action Plan 2025-26.
Continue readingPHS are looking for input into their strategy for the next ten years, which will aim to support increasing life expectancy.
Continue readingThe report recommends changes and improvements to Adult Disability Payment including reforming the 50% and 20 metre rules.
Continue readingA balance between overarching and condition-specific actions must be underpinned by a human rights based approach.
Continue readingAn independent analysis of over 100 responses to the Scottish Government consultation has been published.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE responds to a Scottish Government consultation on draft guidance for teachers
Continue readingThe paper sets out the Government's thoughts on the proposed Human Rights Bill.
Continue readingProposals to cut disability payments and a lack of consideration for devolution are amongst the serious issues in the plans.
Continue readingThe Scottish Government has recognised a formal definition of Deafblindness.
Continue readingQualifications Scotland must think about the needs of pupils who use British Sign Language.
Continue readingThe Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is seeking views from both organisations and people with lived experience.
Continue readingMore than 100 charities unite to say Scottish MPs must stand against social security cuts.
Continue readingALLIANCE survey finds people are facing multiple barriers accessing SDS
Continue readingThe plan is intended to improve the lives of disabled people and put their experiences and concerns at the heart of policymaking.
Continue reading