'It was negotiated by Boris Johnson. They told us it was oven ready... and now they're saying it's unworkable.'
@AngusRobertson slams UK Government's decision to ditch parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Mr Robertson tells @petermacmahon it'll damage Scottish businesses
As part of our commitment to design a service with the people who use it, we invite volunteers from across Scotland to be part of our Client Panels.
People who complete Client Surveys are invited to take part and help us build a fair benefits system for Scotland.
Income thresholds for Best Start Foods will be removed for all qualifying benefits.
This will mean an extra 30,000 people will benefit if they are pregnant or have a child under 3, providing more help with cost of living pressures.
Read more ➡️ bit.ly/BestStartFoods.
Follow Social Security Scotland.
This will help a lot of people. Is the government thinking on providing more help for working families, that need to send their children to school or nursery, in top of the 30 h free from the council. Some extra help for after school classes will be very welcome, especially if we want people to return to work 5 days a week. Thanks
Really looking forward to North Edinburgh Community Festival today - hope to see you there! 🥳
This Friday, 6 May, I will be holding my regular ‘Drop-in Help & Advice Surgeries’ in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. Do not attend if you are unwell. Please find the details below. #HereToHelp
9:30am – 10:30am at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre (11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh EH5 1NF).
11:00am – 12:00noon at Prentice Centre (1 Granton Mains Ave, Edinburgh EH4 4GA).
3:30pm – 4:30pm at Leith Community Centre (12A Newkirkgate, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6AD).
If you can’t come this Friday, and you need assistance from me as your local MSP, you can also contact my office via phone on 0131 600 0134 or email me at ben.macpherson.msp@parliament.scot.
Good to catch up with Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts. CIC. in their new home in Granton. Created during lockdown, they continue to provide help to those who ask or need. Inspiring to meet some of the volunteers - they’re always looking for more if you can lend some of your time. Easy to get there from Leith on a 16 Lothian Buses.
A reminder that I have my monthly ‘Drop-in Help and Advice Surgeries’ tomorrow from 9.30am-10.30am at Fresh Start and 11am-12pm at Prentice Centre. Please, if you can, do an LFT before attending. #HereToHelpHelp and Advice Surgeries in Pilton and Granton this Friday 1 April. Covid-19 measures and guidance strictly apply. Please wear a face covering (unless exempt) and do a Lateral Flow Test before attending if you can (I will be). #HereToHelp
Further details below:
As a SNP supporter I'm dismayed at the inability of the SNP leadership of CEC, Adam McVey, to understand and respond to the continuous failures in the senior management and operation of the corporate bodies Health and Social Care department. The demise of effective and efficient quality social services, under the tenure, formely of Peter Gabbitas and now Andrew Kerr is appalling. The cuts in puplic service and reduction of experienced qualified staff, with the drive to privitisation, initially through hired agencies and now outright out sourcing to third party for profit organisations, has seen a successful fully comprehensive provision of services reduced to that of provider of last resort, what a come down. There isn't a previous, or current worker in the department below and including middle management that for the past 20 years, has had any faith in the direction of travel and leadership of the department. Get it sorted!
Help and Advice Surgeries in Pilton and Granton this Friday 1 April. Covid-19 measures and guidance strictly apply. Please wear a face covering (unless exempt) and do a Lateral Flow Test before attending if you can (I will be). #heretohelp
Further details below:
Using our powers and limited resources to make a difference and tackle poverty. The more powers we have then the bigger difference we can make.🧸 The Scottish Child Payment will double £20 a week from April and will be extended to under 16's by the end of 2022.
📢 We will then increase this support further to £25 a week by the end of 2022 helping to lift 50,000 children out of poverty.
#AlbaParty wants this to be increased to £40 pw. Plus by the end of 2022 with inflation for lower income families at around 20-30%? Pocket money.
Adult Disability Payment is open for new applications in Dundee, Perth & Kinross and the Western Isles. People aged between 16 and state pension age who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or a terminal illness can apply. There will be two further pilot phases before being made available nationwide from 29 August. Adults who already get PIP or DLA do not need to apply as they will have their award transferred automatically from Summer 2022.
Social security is a human right and none of us know when we might need it – it is a shared investment to help build a fairer society, together. We are developing a system that is rooted in trust to make sure people can access the support that they are entitled to. Launching this first Adult Disability Payment (our 12th benefit) pilot is a significant milestone, as we start to deliver our biggest and most complex benefit. We are taking a positive and compassionate approach to delivering disability assistance, centred around our principles of dignity, fairness and respect.
Contact Social Security Scotland for more information or have a look at this site and paper, which has a Q&A: www.gov.scot/publications/policy-position-paper-adult-disability-payment/.
It was good to speak to BBC Scotland News about it recently, and what we’re doing differently.
Thank you sincerely to everyone involved in getting to this point - the campaigners, many stakeholders and talented civil servants. A significant moment and achievement in the development of social security in Scotland and delivery of devolved public services.
If people have a disability or a long-term health condition that is unlikely to change, we are looking to provide indefinite awards, which means that people will not need to reapply for their benefit or be reviewed.
Social Security Scotland is a shared investment in creating a fairer society.
Lifelong disabilities will not face benefit tests
www.bbc.co.uk
People with lifelong conditions such as being blind have to be reassessed to keep their benefits.Hope this has a positive impact on everyone who suffers from MS. There are not enough things in place for MS suffers who try to keep well but for example cannot access disabled parking at certain times when needed. Given that it's not always required but would help immensely when having bad spells. It helps with dignity and basic day to day living.
Good on our wonderful Scottish Government! Disabled overnight at 55 and denied PIP after an absolutely humiliating procedure 8 years ago! Finally reapplied two years ago and STILL they gave me ZERO points! Took my case to tribunal......... and won! I'm so glad people facing similar trauma will be treated in a more humane way💜
Not helping me just now, I have to go through the process to get PIP and trying to get a medical record from the GP is like drawing teeth! My deadline was yesterday the 16th, thank goodness I got an extension or I would be in dire straights.
I'm so pleased to hear this after being a member of the experience panels and being listened too.
Common sense at last
Will those with Autism be included? As lifelong? I was only awarded 3 years with PIP. I hope social security would take into account that it’s not disappearing🥺
A consultation published this week outlines proposals for a new benefit. Scottish Carer's Assistance aims at improving the service for carers, continuing to provide extra financial support, and reaching more carers in the future.
Share your views ➡️ www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-carers-assistance-consultation/.
Under @the The Scottish Government proposals, Scottish Carer’s Assistance will replace Carer’s Allowance, currently delivered by the Department of Work and Pensions, and be provided through Social Security Scotland.
Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/3K1xSH8
Already shared with RoS Carers Network.
A reminder that I have my monthly ‘Help and Advice Surgeries’ tomorrow at Fresh Start and Prentice Centre. Please do an LFT before attending. #heretohelpHelp and Advice Surgeries in Pilton and Granton this Friday 4 March. Covid-19 measures and guidance strictly apply. Please wear a face covering (unless exempt) and do a Lateral Flow Test before attending if you can (I will be). #HereToHelp
Further details below:
If you can, please support and share the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) humanitarian appeal for Ukraine: www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal.❤️🇺🇦
📢 Message from the office team of Ben Macpherson MSP 📢
VOCAL Edinburgh is a great organisation that works to support unpaid carers in the constituency and beyond.
Vocal Edinburgh has recently launched a ‘Carer Recovery Fund’, which will provide carers with a one-off grant, worth up to £500.
For more details and information on how to apply, please see their post below:Today we have launched a Carer Recovery Fund – a monumental funding package in partnership with 12 Edinburgh charities, to improve carers’ wellbeing.
The Carer Recovery Fund will help those in greatest need through the delivery of grants up to £500 per carer household. Carers can apply for support with fuel payments, food vouchers, or general costs associated with improving their financial situation. General grants cover wellbeing activities to reduce stress, access breaks from caring, purchase basic furniture (including white goods), support to seek employment and costs associated with caring such as training, transport or equipment.
Sebastian Fischer, Chief Executive at VOCAL said:
“Often as a result of the pandemic, some carers have had to reduce their hours at work, or even stop working altogether. With the recent cut to Universal Credit, increased inflation and rising fuel prices, carers are being sucked further to the edge of poverty with their financial and emotional resilience pushed to the limit.
“If you’re supporting a family member, partner, relative or friend, of any age, who needs help to manage a long-term condition, disability, physical or mental health problem, or addiction, you are a carer and could be eligible to access a grant.
“We would urge carers who are facing financial difficulties to get in touch with us and apply. We are also asking Edinburgh citizens to spread the word with friends and family members. We want to see as many carers as possible benefiting from this.”
To apply, visit our website: www.vocal.org.uk/carer-support/info-for-carers/practical-support/carer-recovery-fund/
Zean this why Johnston must go. Stammer asked johnston in PQ to name russian oligarchs [rule by a 'few] he went off on a big rant, on how they the Torys have brought in legislation huming and howing. Stamer named a couple who own two properties just down from the houses of parliment, More of the same trite from Johnsting omiting that the legal reguirement for the calling out these people would be in two months time. Which would give these Russian 2 months to get all their monies out in time. Stammer wanted Legislation brought forward to NOW. Tory Russian Cronies, Johnston stated it Putin we are wanting to get, not all Russians are our enemies. WHAT he actually said word to that effect. 😂🤣😂🙃😜🧐😒
Timeline photosScotland will provide both financial aid and medical supplies to #Ukraine.
The Scottish Government will contribute £4m of humanitarian aid, as well as medical equipment and supplies, to help those most affected.
Full story: gov.scot/news/humanitarian-aid-to-ukraine/
That is amazing. But we also need to put pressure on the UK government to lift visas for refugees from Ukraine.
If the gutless WM gov would get off their arses & seize their oligarch pals assets the proceeds would cover every penny of aid, resettlement & reparations due the Ukrainian people.
Help and Advice Surgeries in Pilton and Granton this Friday 4 March. Covid-19 measures and guidance strictly apply. Please wear a face covering (unless exempt) and do a Lateral Flow Test before attending if you can (I will be). #heretohelp
Further details below:
Thanks Ben and thanks to Amy McNeese-Mechan for engaging with the Ukraine community today to find out what they want and need from us.
Done.
Moving vigil in the constituency this evening - in Montgomery Street Park and then outside the Ukrainian Consulte on Windsor Street - in #solidarityWithUkraine. 🏴🇺🇦❤️🕯🕊 #PeaceNotWar
My team and I will respond as quickly as we can to those of you who’ve emailed me about the upsetting and shocking situation.
I think we all want an opportunity to help any refugees, really, especially with temporary accomodation, while this nightmare plays out.
⚠️🌬️ We’re getting ready for the high winds that Storm Dudley is expected to bring tomorrow. We want to keep everyone safe so to do that we’re shutting down most of our train services from 1600 tomorrow (16 Feb). Due to the adverse weather it won't be possible to provide replacement transport for affected routes.
ScotRail services on the Far North, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Aberdeen-Inverness lines will continue to run because those lines are located in areas not covered by the weather warning.
More information: www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/news/scotrail-services-end-early-wednesday-storm-dudley-sweeps-...
Trevor Lee. Why is Russia holding a chairing at the Security Council of the United Nations at the moment, The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. So why is a violater of Peace able to use this peace Platform to speak about their own aggression and the breaking of the peace of the Ukrainian People. They are having a laugh are they not. 15 Members "One TO MANY I Think" 😒
👇🏻A significant milestone as we continue to develop and deliver Scotland’s new social security system, rooted in treating people with dignity, fairness and respect.❤️
➡️Adult Disability Payment - the Scottish replacement for Personal Independence Payment - read more: www.gov.scot/publications/policy-position-paper-adult-disability-payment/.🏴
Legislation unanimously approved today by The Scottish Parliament means that:
🔹Adult Disability Payment will open in pilot areas from 21 March.
🔹Initially people in Perth and Kinross Council, Dundee Council and the Western Isles will be able to apply.
🔹There will be a number of subsequent pilot phases.
🔹Full nationwide roll out will commence on 29 August.
Follow Social Security Scotland.
for years I have been trying to tell you about the exploitation of disabled parents within the Scottish family legal system,
please answer my emails,
It was good to chat recently with Living Leith Podcast.Episode 1 of Season 2 is here 🙌
We chat to Ben Macpherson MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith and Minister for Social Security and Local Government - to hear about his relationship with Leith and his career into politics.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website: linktr.ee/livingleith
thats great, but how about actually turning up to your surgery
Making a difference with the powers that we have and building the strength for doing more with more powers in the future. In line with Scottish Fiscal Commission forecasts, we are committing over £3.9 billon for benefit expenditure in 2022-23, providing support to over one million people. This is £361 million above the level of funding to be received from the UK Government through Block Grant Adjustments and will help low-income families with their living costs including heating, as well as enabling disabled people to live full and independent lives.
In recent weeks the UK Government has written off £4.3bn in coronavirus loan fraud and has reported £11.3bn of losses in PPE.
‼️ Important Announcement ‼️
Would you like to become an MSYP for Edinburgh Northern & Leith? Then this opportunity is for you! ⭐️
Please email with any questions or for more information! 📣
I’m in my 50’s but I now identify as a 21 year old. Sign me up!
Help and Advice Surgeries in Pilton and Granton this Friday 4 February. Covid-19 measures and guidance strictly apply. Please wear a face covering (unless exempt) and do a Lateral Flow Test before attending if you can (I will be). #heretohelp
Further details below:
Im pretty sure your Whip or Nicola has told you only to respond to certain topics
Why did the Scottish Government decide to open pubs before the family courts?
📢 Reminder from the office team of Ben Macpherson MSP 📢
Do you live, work, study or volunteer in Leith?
If the answer is yes, please consider voting in Leith Chooses as the vote closes tonight, 31 January, at midnight.
There’s over £56K of funding available for community projects which are all deserving and great causes. You can find out more about each project, and how to vote for them, online here:
www.leithchooses.net
£eith Chooses voting is live now! Posted on 24/01/2022 by Sally Millar Online voting is open NOW until 31 January. You can read about the 20 projects applying for funding to £eith Chooses, and vote ...Thanks. Totally forgot about this.
Adult Disability Payment will be the 12th Scottish benefit to be delivered by The Scottish Government.
It replaces DWP Personal Independent Payment (PIP) and will be open to adults of working age with a disability or health condition.
People who get PIP do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment. Social Security Scotland will write to them before automatically transferring their awards.
Adults applying for the first time will be able to do this in the way that suits them best.
Learn more ➡️ tfn.scot/opinion/building-an-enhanced-and-compassionate-social-security-system-in-scotland
Putting dignity and respect back at the centre of our benefits system......at last 🙂
Ben Macpherson MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith I have a question. Many people including myself had a massive cut to PIP but didn’t have the energy to fight or had developed additional conditions. Interviews were brutal, very much like I Daniel Blake. Will there be a chance for some reassessments too?
Can you make it a law for Civil Lawyers not to exploit autistic parents
Bryon Samuel Martin I believe we were speaking of this earlier this week?
❤️We are building an enhanced and compassionate social security system in Scotland in an ambitious, structured and responsible way, and the launch of Adult Disability Payment is an important next step.
➡️Article in TFN on Adult Disability Payment: tfn.scot/opinion/building-an-enhanced-and-compassionate-social-security-system-in-scotland.
➕Follow Social Security Scotland for updates.
What can we expect from this new compassionate social security system? Will it be another unlawful & discriminatory system based on peoples vaccination status? Will it be a similar criteria to those who are looking PAY for or looking to receive NHS fertility treatments? And will it be The same compassion the SNP gave to those who had their fertility treatments immediately stopped on Xmas eve. What the SNP have done to those women is unlawful, cruel & evil & I dread to think what will happen when you are all in charge of the social security system.
#ICYMI I was proud earlier this week when the Scottish Parliament voted to introduce a licensing system to regulate short-term lets. I voted for it but sadly Labour and the Tories voted against the measure.
This new law will seek to further empower local authorities, including City of Edinburgh Council, with the ability to ensure short-term lets are safe and that economic and tourism interests are balanced with the needs and concerns of communities.
In tourism hot-spots, like Edinburgh Northern and Leith, high numbers of whole property lets have caused problems for neighbours and communities, and have made it harder for people to find affordable homes to live in. Many constituents have raised this issue with me over the years. That's why I voted for a licensing scheme this week and also to introduce planning measures earlier in the year.
Read more here: www.gov.scot/news/short-term-lets-legislation-approved/.
The wee, working fishing village of Johnshaven, Kincardineshire has 91 holiday lets. NINETY ONE, out of roughly 200 houses. No small community can withstand that depletion of FT residential housing stock & remain viable as a year round, working community with affordable housing & basic support services for ALL income levels. Edinburgh is no different, just larger in scale. I welcome these new regs as a first step in safeguarding real housing stock for real people, and look forward to further national legislation in this vein.
👇🏻As well as being generally beneficial nationally, this will help to create jobs in the Port of Leith.⚡️🏴 Scotland's renewable energy revolution is powering ahead.
✅ 17 offshore wind projects have been given the go-ahead, with commitments to invest in the Scottish supply chain.
👷🏼 Billions will be invested in good, green jobs in Scotland - and reaching net zero by 2045.
ICYMI
🚍 Applications are now open for Scotland’s under 22s free bus travel scheme.
📢 Free bus travel will not only help tackle the climate emergency but it will also take pressure off finances and improve access to education, leisure and work.
📱 Apply now at: getyournec.scot/nec/.
Claire Baxter
Dharmveer Singh
I took part in a socially-distanced walkabout in Granton and Wardieburn this afternoon, about waste management and fly-tipping with constituents and Council street cleansing and housing staff. Council teams work very hard to clear streets and empty bins. But there are parts in the constituency where there is still frequent overflowing and dumping - we all need to address this, together. Many useful action points were agreed today and I am determined to keep working with the Council and community organisations to make improvements.
We can all play a part in that too:
- if a bin is full then wait until it’s emptied or find another one nearby (don’t just put bags or rubbish beside it/on the street);
- organise pick-ups of bulky items or a slot at the Seafield facility (putting them near bins is fly-tipping): www.edinburgh.gov.uk/specialuplift;
- put your waste in the correct bin (contaminating recycling causes real problems);
- close bin lids to keep gulls out and stop the wind blowing litter out of it;
- report illegal fly-tipping and trade waste dumping if you see it: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/litter-flytipping/flytipping.
Thank you.
You might want to take a walk up to the park in crewe Road gardens.... I've been trying to get Julie Easton to get it cleaned for over a year now!
waste management deserves a whole lot more investment and respectable jobs for people. we all want it! not least the environment itself. no more cuts. invest in respecting our environment. 🙂
Socially distanced walkabout outside? Deary me 🤦♂️
The Scottish Government is developing a new National Litter and Flytipping Strategy for Scotland. The public consultation will run until 31 March 2022. Have #yoursayonlitter and respond to the consultation before 31 March: consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/national-litter-and-flytipping-strategy/.
Well done Ben! My litter picking shift is East Claremont St and Claremont Crescent, good to be a part of the solution, good to see you are a fellow tidy picker! Hope to see you out on the graceful streets of Edinburgh.
Good. Not before time. Some folk need educating.
We really need to look at charges for 'business' rubbish/rubble removals. As these get more difficult and/or expensive it opens up greater opportunities for the unscrupulous to undercut existing businesses by simply fly- tipping
Timeline photosOfficers at Craigmillar are appealing for the assistance of the public in tracing a 28-year-old Alathea Byrne - known as Alice - who is missing from her home in Portobello, Edinburgh.
Alice was last seen by her family at her home around 2am on Saturday, 1 January. She met friends in Marlborough Street and left a flat there around 10am on Saturday.
She is described as white, around 5ft 6ins in height and of medium build with short black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a long black t-shirt, black jeans and white trainers.
Inspector Keith Scott said: “It is out of character for Alice not to keep in contact with her family and friends. We are becoming increasingly concerned for her wellbeing and we are working to trace her as soon as possible to ensure that she is safe and well. Searches and enquiries have been ongoing since she was reported missing, and we are now asking the public for any assistance they can provide.
“I would urge anyone who has seen Alice since Saturday morning, or anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible. I would appeal to Alice herself to contact us if she sees this appeal. Contact 101 quoting reference 0647 of 2 January.”
Timeline photosJoin the campaign to get #BoostedByTheBells and help do your bit in the fight against COVID. We have appointments available at many of our sites or you can visit one of our drop-in clinics. Info on all our drop-in clinics, including opening times, is available on our website: www.http://ow.ly/Zjvq50HglZq/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-Clinics.aspx
It would be great if those waiting for community health team could give people on their lists their vacinations of both flu and covid booster. My housebound disabled son is still waiting, he is currently refusing help to leave our home for essential medical appointments because he has not been given his flu or covid booster dispite my attempts to get them for him. Apparently the Resolve team must be non existent.
Im sure Boris came out with something of a similar cringe
My office will be running in a limited capacity over the festive period from Friday 24 December 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022. Emails will be checked periodically throughout and if your email requires urgent attention then you will receive a reply before Monday 10 January 2022. However, if you require immediate assistance over the holiday period then it is advised that you also please contact the appropriate number below:
Emergency Contacts:
⦁ Emergency: 999
⦁ Police Scotland (non-emergency): 101
⦁ National non-emergency medical number/NHS24: 111
City of Edinburgh Council:
⦁ Social Care Direct: 0131 200 2327
⦁ Repairs Direct: 0131 200 2345
⦁ Waste Services: 0131 608 1100
⦁ Revenue & Benefits: 0131 608 1111
⦁ Emergency Social Work: 0800 731 6969
⦁ Domestic Abuse: 0800 027 1234
⦁ All other council emergencies: 0131 200 2000 / 0800 0325968
Other Useful Numbers:
⦁ Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
⦁ Floodline: 0345 988 1188
⦁ Electricity: 0800 40 40 90
⦁ Gas leaks: 0800 111 999
⦁ Power cut to your area: 105
⦁ Scottish Water: 0800 0778 778
⦁ Women's Aid: 0800 027 1234
⦁ Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650
⦁ The Samaritans: 116 123
Covid-19 Information:
⦁ Business support: findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/
⦁ Scottish Government information on Covid-19: www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
⦁ NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
⦁ City of Edinburgh Council information on Covid-19: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/coronavirus
Kind regards and take care,
Ben
Merry Christmas to you and all your excellent team. I know from experience how hard you all work for your community and what a great job you are doing. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you Ben and all the staff who have worked ao hard for our communities have a wonderful one and all the best for 2022 .
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your staff. Especially Ellie for all her hard work helping us.
Merry Christmas to you and all your staff Ben. Thanks for everything you’re doing for Edinburgh Northern and Leith.
Same to you Ben!
Have a well earned rest, Merry Xmas to all 🎅🏻🌲🥂
STAMER’S PATRIOTIC PRIDE “One ‘National’ Brits Nation” of Labour?+ Tory? Union-is-them. STAMER is Wanting to create a National Community of great “Brits”. With their women’s Euros football team, and the men's team, who will compete in the “World Cup” which gives us an opportunity as was in the Euro champions last year, to glimpse an open, generous tolerant side of our great Brits nation when we where are at our Best. That “ENGLISH TEAM” is a living embodiment of this "One Nation" of great Brits, a successful nation of these young “Brits”, men of positive back grounds, united by their talents and their British Patriotic Spirit, they are our Pride [COME ON YOU GREAT “BRITS”] Oh, I mean come on you fine English men. STAMER wants to lead a government who does right by those marveless English human beings, STAMER wants to create a “NATIONAL COMMUNITY OF GREAT BRITS” out of them, which everyone of them feels secure and where everyone feels they belong in “Brit-land”. The Britian STAMER wants which contributes and gets something Back a “ONE NATION OF GREAT BRITS” Not this weak other 3 nation of TRIPE, oh, I mean TRITE-FULL of Scots, [of Dougie Ross, how weak is that, more like Dougie “DROSS”] Gales and N. Ireland, a Joke-Aey. "I personally see our GREAT BRITTISH COMMONWEALTH as we “BREAK A WAY” from this “OLD BOYS UNIONIST CRAP, of STAMER’S LABOUR PARTY and Boris Johnstons TORY PARTY of LORD SNOOTY and their “CRONYISTIC behaviour.
Merry Christmas Ben have a good one!
Launching from spring 2022:
“Adult Disability Payment will be the twelfth Scottish benefit to be delivered by The Scottish Government, since we gained limited powers over social security and created Social Security Scotland in 2018. Adult Disability Payment will also be the most complex and largescale Scottish benefit yet, reaching around 339,000 people once all awards transferring from the DWP are taken into account.
“We know people have found applying for DWP disability benefits stressful in the past. That is why we have listened to their experiences as we have designed our new system, and we are committed to doing things differently. We are introducing an improved application process and, in contrast to the DWP system, we are removing the burden from individuals to provide supporting information, so that the onus will instead be on Social Security Scotland to collect the information we require. Our new, person-centred decision making process will ensure everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
“Importantly, we have abolished assessments in the form currently undertaken by the DWP. Instead, and only where required, we will hold person-centred consultations between the person and a Social Security Scotland health or social care practitioner, starting from a position of trust. Our consultations will not involve functional examinations.
“Another key difference in our new system will be around the definition of terminal illness. We will follow the judgement of clinicians instead of being tied to fixed periods of life expectancy, and anyone with a terminal illness will be fast tracked.
“From the outset, the eligibility criteria for ADP applicants will remain mostly the same as existing DWP disability benefits, as will payment values for awards, so that we do not create a two-tier system with varying rules whilst Scottish PIP and DLA recipients are transferred to Social Security Scotland.
“We are committed to undertaking an independent review of ADP within a year of its full introduction, to consider the eligibility criteria, gather feedback from people who’ve applied and collect data to inform any proposed changes.
“We have also worked with people with lived experience and relevant organisations to develop all aspects of the application process, and make it easy and inclusive for people to access support they are entitled to. We are offering a range of ways to make an application, including online, by post, over the phone or face-to-face. Social Security Scotland local delivery teams will also be available to provide assistance.
“People in Scotland with existing DWP awards do not need to be concerned about reapplying or going through an application process again. They will be transferred automatically to Social Security Scotland and we will write in advance, so people know what to expect. Our focus on safe and secure delivery will ensure that everyone continues to get the payments they receive, when they expect to.”
Read more: www.gov.scot/news/adult-disability-payment-launch-dates-announced/.
I was involved in the consultation/experience panel groups for this and at one meeting I was talking to a man who had been a political journalist at both Wastemonster and Holyrood he said to me that in all his experience of 50 years this was the first time a group of people who were effected by legislation were consulted before it was implemented. I am optimistic that the fears of many traumatised by the current DWP system will be allayed by this transfer.
What happens if you have an award which is due to expire in 2022? My PIP, awarded at tribunal in August 2018, is due to run out on 20th November 2022 (extended from 20th February 2022 due to Covid). I have autism and had a bad experience of a face to face assessment, at the hands of an unsympathetic assessor, when transferring from DLA to PIP in early 2018 which resulted in me scoring zero points and having to take it to MR and then to appeal. The thought of having to go through another face to face assessment at the review is filling me with dread.
I have applied for pip last September, I was awarded life time lower rate DLA but when my health condition got worse they said I need to apply for PIP and I did, still waiting to hear from them. Is this new rule going to affect my application?
So pleased to hear this.
Timeline photosIf you're aged 40 or more, you can now drop in to clinics across Lothian for your COVID-19 booster, as long as it's been 12 weeks or more since your 2nd dose. See the full list at: www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-Clinics.aspx
If you are 18-39, please book your booster using nhsinform.scot/vaccinebooking. You can still visit drop-in clinics for your first or second dose, and details of these clinics are also in the link above.