Protect and simplify disability benefit, review urges Scottish Government

Restrictions to Scotland's Adult Disability Payment (ADP) could "harm the quality of life" of those seeking support, a review has found.

Published today, the independent review calls on Scottish ministers to avoid restrictions on eligibility for the working-age benefit.

It states: "Anything in practice that opposes the human rights approach currently adopted by the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland could potentially harm the quality of life of many disabled people.

"If viewed as an investment in the people of Scotland there is evidence of the economic value of the wellbeing impacts of disability benefits and these significantly outweigh the financial costs associated with administering them."

The recommendation follows a row over changes to the equivalent Personal Independence Payment (Pip) by the UK Government.

The Labour administration said restrictions to that benefit would save billions for the public purse, but the prime minister was forced into watering down the plan to avoid a backbench rebellion.

The ADP was launched nationally by the Scottish Government in August 2022 to new applicants, replacing Pip north of the border, and was paid to 476,295 people at the end of April this year.

The total is equivalent to almost nine per cent of the population and seven in 10 claimants had transferred from Pip.

However, the review, led by Edel Harris OBE, says the applications process should be simplified and made more accessible to help those seeking support.

It found that despite being "much kinder in nature" than required for Pip, the process is "still at times inaccessible, complex and burdensome, causing some clients significant stress and anxiety".

The review states: "Building on great foundations and continuing to focus on a good client experience, simplifying and improving systems and processes and refreshing the eligibility criteria could make a substantial positive difference on the lives of all those who need this additional support."

Harris commented: "Adult Disability Payment has been described by many as a step change - kinder in tone and more dignified in approach. But too often disabled people still find the system difficult to navigate, time-consuming and anxiety-inducing.

"I heard consistently that if we are to realise social security as an investment in people, it is important to ensure that the eligibility criteria fulfil this goal.

"This review highlights the importance of a system that is not only compassionate, but practical and accessible. The recommendations are based on real experiences and a shared commitment to making Adult Disability Payment work better for everyone who needs it."

Responding to the review, social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "While the UK Government seeks to make cuts to the vital support disabled people rely on, I want to make clear that we will not cut Adult Disability Payment. Instead, we will work to protect and enhance Scotland’s social security system, improving on what we have achieved so far.

"I very much appreciate the comprehensive recommendations this report provides for how we can improve Adult Disability Payment. I am very grateful to the chair for her work in delivering the final report for the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment. The quality of the report reflects her thorough approach to the review over the last 18 months, as well as the extent of her engagement with disabled people.

"The Scottish Government will now carefully consider all of the recommendations and provide its initial response by January 2026."

Alexander Stewart, Scottish Conservative spokesperson for social security, said: "As usual, this SNP boast that they would run things better, continues to ring hollow. Social Security Scotland has been plagued with issues since its inception, and it’s clear the current system is satisfying no one.

"The most vulnerable disabled Scots feel let down, there’s a lack of support for those who can, and want to, get into work, and hard-pressed taxpayers are forking out a fortune on a ballooning benefits bill."