For immediate release:

SOCIAL SECURITY EXPERIENCE PANELS RECRUITMENT OPEN

Local MSP Clare Haughey is encouraging Rutherglen and Cambuslang residents to sign-up to a scheme to help inform key decisions in the design of Scotland’s new social security system.

With Scotland set to take on new welfare powers over the coming years, the Scottish Government is recruiting volunteers with personal and direct experience of the current benefits system for their ‘Experience Panels’.

Panel members are invited to take part in surveys, focus groups and interviews, on a range of topics either specific to particular benefits or relating to how Social Security Scotland operates as an agency.

Launched in 2017, more than 2,400 people from across Scotland have already contributed to Experience Panels, and a further round of recruitment for new panel members has now opened.

The Scottish Government is looking for people with experience of benefits like Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Winter Fuel Payment, among others, to take part in these panels and help shape Scotland’s welfare system.

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has backed the programme and is encouraging her constituents to apply.

Commenting, the local MSP said:

“It is hugely important that people remain at the heart of how we design and deliver social security in Scotland. I know from speaking to my own constituents how degrading and frustrating the current benefits system can be, so we need to make sure we do things differently in Scotland when these powers are devolved.

“The Scottish Government is determined to design and build systems and processes that work for people, not against them – and our mission is to bring a new culture of fairness, dignity and respect to Scottish social security.”

More information, including how to register, can be found at http://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-experience-panels-faqs/. People can also register over the phone on 0800 029 4974.

ENDS

Notes:

Further information can be found on the link below (dated 3rd July):

https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-experience-panels-faqs/

Date published: 5th July 109