Social Security Scotland boss warns of ‘difficult’ year for many

Scotland’s devolved benefits agency has made payments totalling more than £160 million last year, though its boss has warned that the next 12 months will be “difficult for many of us”.

David Wallace, the chief executive of Social Security Scotland, spoke out as it was confirmed payments amounting to £163.6 million and covering 11 Scottish benefits were made between April 1 2021 and March 31 2022.

At the same time, a survey for the organisation found about nine out of 10 (89%) rated their overall experience of dealing with Social Security Scotland as “good” or “very good”.

A little under nine-in-10 respondents said they had been treated with dignity (87%), fairness (87%) and respect (89%), according to the research.

Both it and Social Security Scotland’s annual report and accounts were released shortly ahead of an increase in the Scottish Child Payment, which next week rises to £25 a week and is made available to children under the age of 16.

Social security minister Ben Macpherson described the payment, which is only made in Scotland to help low income families, as being “transformative”.

Speaking about Scotland’s devolved benefits system, Mr Macpherson said: “Social Security Scotland’s Annual Report and Accounts demonstrate the impact of delivering benefits that help tackle poverty and promote equality.

“We ensure money goes directly to people who need it most, including carers, disabled people and families on low incomes.

“Next week our transformative Scottish Child Payment will be extended to all eligible young people under the age of 16 and increased to £25 per week per child – a 150% rise within eight months of introducing this important benefit, which is only available in Scotland.”

The minister said he was pleased the benefits agency had “maintained high satisfaction levels in their service delivery”.

He added: “We encourage all those who are eligible for support to apply, and are committed to treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.

Mr Wallace, meanwhile, stressed the importance of listening to those who receive benefit payments.

He stated: “Four years ago, we began delivering our new social security service for Scotland after listening to people who had experience of the benefits system.

“They helped us create a service based on our values of dignity, fairness and respect and we continue to listen to them as we grow and deliver more benefits.”

He continued: “Our annual client survey reflects the work we have put in to deliver on our commitment and the fact that we managed to maintain such an exceptionally high level of client satisfaction through a period of significant growth is a source of immense pride for me.

“In fact, 96% of people surveyed told us they had received their benefit payments when we said they would. These results are testament to the care and pride our people take in their work.

“We have worked hard to build a diverse workforce of people who share our values that reflects modern Scotland.

“The year ahead will remain difficult for many of us but our commitment to our clients remains strong and we will continue to listen to their feedback as we develop our service and prepare to deliver new benefits.”

The Tories, however, said that “spiralling running costs” had seen the bill for Social Security Scotland rise to almost £200 million, adding that at the same time complaints were up by a “staggering” 400%.

Miles Briggs, the Conservative spokesman for social justice, housing and local government, said: “The SNP love to talk up their welfare policies, but these stark new statistics show that their delivery is woefully inadequate.

“The cost of running Social Security Scotland has soared by 50% to almost £200 million this year. Yet despite these spiralling running costs, complaints have also gone up by a staggering 400%.

“It appears that no matter how much money the SNP throw at Social Security Scotland, they can’t save it from their own chronic incompetence.

“At a time when SNP ministers are imposing savage cuts across public services, this wasteful spending is unacceptable.

“The SNP must urgently fix the flaws in this bloated system and make sure funding is going to vulnerable Scottish families.”