Scottish Social Security Committee launches inquiry into role of Scotland’s social security system in social and economic recovery from COVID-19

Committee seeks 'innovative and workable' solutions to combat the impact of the pandemic

The Scottish Social Security Committee has launched an inquiry into the role of Scotland's social security system in the social and economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Launching the inquiry today, the Committee says that it would like to understand how best Scottish social security, and its part within the broader context of all UK social security, should contribute to the recovery from COVID-19, with a focus on the following key questions -

• What will the economic downturn look like for different people in Scotland and how should Scottish social security support them through it? In the context of UK social security and of other ways of providing support, what is the role of Scottish social security in an economic recession?
• Can, and should, Social Security Scotland do more than meet the expected increased demand for benefits and deliver on existing policy commitments? What should its ambitions be? Within the social security and borrowing powers available to Scottish Ministers what could be achieved and delivered?
• If the Scottish Government looks to do more, or differently, what are the relatively easier changes that could be made to Scottish benefits that would not require significant additional capacity in Social Security Scotland?
• What changes could be made that would not require significant input from the DWP?
• What are the constraints and barriers to doing more in Scotland?
• Should the main focus be on discretionary funds or on entitlements? In terms of recovery from COVID-19, is it more effective to provide support through discretionary funds allocated to local authorities or through demand-led benefits delivered through Social Security Scotland?

Commenting on the inquiry, Committee Convener Bob Dorris said -

'This inquiry is determined to find out what, within the social security and borrowing powers available to Scottish Ministers, could be achieved and delivered, and to understand the constraints and barriers which would limit the ability of Ministers in Scotland to make the changes required.

We are seeking views from those right across society to help propose innovative and workable solutions for social security in Scotland which can best combat the devastating impact of this pandemic and aid our recovery.'

NB - the deadline for submitting evidence to the inquiry is 14 October 2020.

The inquiry into The role of Scottish Social Security in COVID-19 recovery is available from parliament.scot