Latest news with #LizSmith
Scottish Sun
06-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
SNP's eye-watering cost of testing benefits bugs revealed despite delays to payments
The total cost for creating the separate Scots benefits infrastructure is around £700million. Benefits Rammy SNP's eye-watering cost of testing benefits bugs revealed despite delays to payments Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NATS ministers have spent £400,000 testing whether their benefits system is still working. The costly check for bugs in the £250million IT set-up followed years of delays in rolling out payments. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Tory MSP Liz Smith insisted Nats must 'get a grip' on the soaring costs. Credit: Alamy 2 Last year Adults Disability Payments were held up for months due to system problems. Credit: PA The Social Security Scotland bill is set to be £2billion more than if powers had not been devolved in 2016 — due to extra payouts approved by the SNP. Yet they claimed during the 2014 indy campaign the state body would take just 18 months to create and cost £200million. Last night Tory MSP Liz Smith insisted Nats must 'get a grip' on the soaring costs. She said: 'Taxpayers are having to foot an ever-increasing bill just because SNP ministers want to do things differently. They must ensure Social Security Scotland delivers value for money.' The total cost for creating the separate Scots benefits infrastructure is around £700million. Last year Adults Disability Payments were held up for months due to system problems. And IT delays mean the UK Department for Work and Pensions will continue to handle Scots benefits until next year. The £400,000 testing contract states it will provide ministers with a 'roadmap for future modernisation and investment'. Social Security Scotland said: 'It is essential our IT systems are regularly reviewed to ensure we can deliver vital payments safely and securely.'
Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Eye-watering cost of ADHD handouts in Scotland revealed – and experts warn it'll only get bigger
The next year there was a 28-times increase to almost £14million 'BALLOONING' BENEFITS Eye-watering cost of ADHD handouts in Scotland revealed – and experts warn it'll only get bigger Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ADHD handouts are set to hit £100million just three years after the payments were introduced. Social Security Scotland handed out £500,000 in 2022, after taking over the benefits. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The cost of ADHD handouts have skyrocketed to £100million in three years Credit: Getty 2 Liz Smith said Scotland's benefits bill is "ballooning out of control" Credit: Alamy The next year there was a 28-times increase to almost £14million. This ballooned again in 2024 to £35million, while this year the figure is predicted to top £50million. And experts warn the bill for sufferers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will only get bigger. Scottish Tory social security spokeswoman Liz Smith said: 'Scotland's benefits bill is ballooning out of control. 'While it is essential that adult disability payments support the most vulnerable, it's also essential there is a strong focus on getting as many people as possible back into work.' Scottish Lib Dems leader Alex Cole-Hamilton added: 'The system is broken. We should be spending far more to prevent and treat mental health conditions.' In the past three years, 13,896 adults have applied for ADHD payouts, with 8,204 approved. Those on a standard rate get almost £4,000 a year, while the average claimant has received £8,000 since the system went live. Around two to four per cent of adults have the condition and new Government stats show a surge in benefit applications. Claimants do not need a formal ADHD diagnosis for approval but must have supporting information from medical specialists. New sinister threat issued in ongoing Scotland gang war It emerged this week that firms are offering a 'no-win, no fee' service to help with ADHD claims. John O'Connell, from the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'The surge in claims for certain conditions calls into question the whole benefits system itself, which is designed to help people in need. "Politicians must ensure only those genuinely deserving receive support.' But Bill Colley, chair of the ADHD Coalition Scotland, said: 'Awards are made not on the basis of a simple diagnosis but on the severity of symptoms and thus impairment, particularly where ADHD leads to complex mental health difficulties.' Since disability payments launched, SSC paid out £2.9 billion, with £1.2 billion going to new applicants and £1.6 billion to those transferred from the DWP. The Scottish Fiscal Commission recently warned of a cash crisis, predicting ministers will be spending £2.2billion more on benefits than they receive from the UK Government by 2030/31. This would see the total welfare bill balloon to £9.4billion, about 15 per cent of the total Scots budget. A SSS spokesperson said: 'Social security is a human right. We are committed to ensuring eligible people get the support they deserve. 'While a diagnosis is not required to apply, we do need supporting information from a professional such as a doctor or psychologist who knows how the person's condition impacts their daily life.'
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
SNP deny 192,000 scots OAPs winter fuel cash
Nearly 200,000 Scots OAPs won't get winter fuel help after the SNP broke their promise on universal payments. The Scottish Government announced yesterday that it would only provide its new devolved benefit to those earning less than £35,000. They will receive payments of £203.40 or £305.10 – figures which have been set marginally higher than the £200 and £300 rates offered south of the Border. But those with personal incomes above £35,000 a year – including pensions, investments and other earnings – will have the payments recovered from them through the tax system. It means that 853,000 will receive the payment and get to keep it, while around 192,000 – or nearly one in five – will have it clawed back because they earn more than £35,000. This is despite the SNP previously pledging that they would provide a 'universal' payment this winter, with everyone receiving at least £100. Scottish Conservative social security spokesman Liz Smith said: 'The SNP, like Labour, shamefully betrayed pensioners by axing universal winter fuel payments, before being forced into a humiliating climbdown by the public outcry. 'But this latest announcement means that hundreds of thousands of Scots will not have the payment even partially restored – despite John Swinney's promise that they would. 'This latest slap in the face will not be forgotten or forgiven.' A series of policy announcements and U-turns have been made about winter fuel payments since the Labour government first announced cuts last year. Over the past winter, only those on pension credit received a payment following the initial cuts by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the SNP's decision to delay the introduction of the devolved pension age winter heating payments. First Minister John Swinney committed earlier this week to ensuring that all pensioners receive at least the same amount as those in England. But when SNP ministers unveiled the full detail of their plan yesterday, it was confirmed that the intention is for those with income above £35,000 to have this clawed back through the tax system. The Scottish Government confirmed 133,000 pensioners in receipt of pension credit were already receiving winter fuel payments over the last winter, while an additional 720,000 with earnings below £35,000 will become eligible this winter. Adam Stachura, policy director at Age Scotland, said: 'While this is a considerable increase for the vast majority of pensioners compared to what the Scottish Government had originally planned, it only really brings it back to what they received two winters ago. Around four in ten Scottish pensioners were living in fuel poverty then, and it will have sky-rocketed since. 'The policy making on this payment has been guddled, lacked consultation, and politically charged throughout. 'While this is partly to do with the speed of the UK Government's original change and subsequent U-turn, the Scottish Government's repeated commitment to universality and its benefits has been abandoned in a heartbeat. 'While in the end this payment is broadly now proportionally fairer, it doesn't really match the material need of most older people and take advantage of the financial means the government has available to improve it.' Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'The UK Government's decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment last winter was a betrayal of millions of pensioners, and their recent U-turn is welcome if belated. 'Following careful consideration of the options available, the Scottish Government will mirror the approach taken by the UK Government. We will bring forward regulations to ensure that, from this winter onwards, all pensioners will receive either £203.40 or £305.10 per household, depending on age. 'We are in discussion with the UK Government to extend the proposed arrangements in England and Wales to recover payments from those pensioners with an individual income of more than £35,000 through the tax system. 'The intention is that the payment will be recovered automatically, and pensioners will not need to register with HMRC for this or take any further action. 'This approach ensures a higher level of support which those most in need will receive. 'Over 720,000 Scottish pensioners are estimated to benefit from the higher payment.'
Scotsman
18-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Winter fuel payments Scotland: Who is eligible for the payments? How much will they get?
Take a look at the details of the Scottish Government's new winter fuel payment scheme. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Government has released the details of its new winter fuel payment after pledging to match the UK government's scheme. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville insists pensioners on lower incomes will now be better off than those in the rest of the UK. However, it appears those on higher incomes may now see their payments taken away completely. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scotsman takes a look at what the decision means for Scottish pensioners. The Scottish Government has unveiled its winter fuel payment scheme. How much will pensioners receive? All pensioners with an income of less than £35,000 will receive £203.40 per household. If the household includes someone over the age of 80, this will rise to £305.10. What about those on higher incomes? It is understood the payments will now no longer be universal and pensioners with an income over £35,000 will receive nothing. Initially the Scottish Government had pledged that all pensioners would receive at least £100. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Liz Smith, the Scottish Conservatives' social security spokeswoman, said: 'The SNP, like Labour, shamefully betrayed pensioners by axing universal winter fuel payments, before being forced into a humiliating climbdown by the public outcry. 'This latest announcement means that hundreds of thousands of Scots will not have the payment even partially restored - despite John Swinney's promise that they would. This latest slap in the face will not be forgotten or forgiven by the pensioners affected.' How many pensioners will be eligible? The Government estimates around 720,000 Scottish pensioners will benefit from this announcement. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad How does this compare to England and Wales? Pensioners in England and Wales with an income less than £35,000 will receive £200, and if they are over the age of 80 they will receive £300. The difference between the Scottish and English schemes is negligible. However, the Scottish Government can technically now claim they are offering more than the UK government is. What happens now? The Scottish Government will now withdraw its previous proposals, which are being considered by the Scottish Parliament. Work will also go on behind the scenes to ensure those on higher incomes do not receive this payment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Somerville said: 'We are in discussion with the UK government to extend the proposed arrangements in England and Wales to recover payments from those pensioners with an individual income of more than £35,000 through the tax system. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville | Jane Barlow/Press Association 'The intention is that the payment will be recovered automatically, and pensioners will not need to register with HMRC for this or take any further action. 'This approach ensures a higher level of support, which those most in need will receive.' What happened to winter fuel payments? One of the first things the Labour UK government did after winning last year's general election was axe universal winter fuel payments. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chancellor Rachel Reeves said it was necessary to restrict the payments to those in receipt of pension credit only after discovering a £22 billion black hole in the public finances. There was an immediate outcry, with the SNP branding the decision a 'betrayal'. The Scottish Government immediately said it would mitigate the cut and continue to provide universal winter fuel payments to pensioners.
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Government recognises financial challenge in mitigating two-child cap
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said applications will open for mitigation of the welfare policy on March 2, with payments being made 'as soon as possible' afterwards – meaning it will likely take place just ahead of the Scottish Parliament election. She said the move will lift 20,000 children out of relative poverty, according to Scottish Government estimates. However the minister also told MSPs she is 'deeply disappointed' that Scotland's interim child poverty targets have not been met, saying there is no single reason for them being missed. Plans to mitigate the two-child cap were first announced last year but First Minister John Swinney said his Government needed time to set up the system. Introduced under the Conservatives, the two-child cap limits benefits in most cases to the first two children born after April 2017. Labour has cited fiscal constraints for keeping the cap, but in May the Prime Minister said he will be 'looking at all options' to tackle child poverty. Ms Somerville said Scotland cannot wait for a decision at Westminster and implementing it in March – 15 months after the initial announcement – will be the fastest a new social security has even been introduced in Scotland. Following an announcement on Tuesday morning, Ms Somerville addressed MSPs on the Government's 'tackling child poverty delivery plan'. She said it is 'deeply disappointing' that interim child poverty targets have not been met, but rates are nevertheless coming down, and she pledged to 'build on that progress' ahead of 2030 targets. Conservative MSP Liz Smith pressed the minister on how the mitigation policy will be funded, saying the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) has noted a 'widening gap' between the Scottish Government's welfare spending and its funding. She said: 'Can I ask where the other cuts will be made to pay for that mitigation?' Ms Somerville said her Government is 'resolute' in tackling economic inactivity, saying people should not be punished for having children. Decisions from the UK Government have pushed more people into poverty, she claimed. Liz Smith asked how the policy would be paid for (Andrew Milligan/PA) Discussing the SFC's forecasts, she said: 'Those are choices that we have taken – to ensure that we are protecting disabled people and children. 'Because we need to protect them from the effects of poverty. 'Those are decisions which will obviously be set out in the work that is being taken forward by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance as we look to the sustainability of our finances. 'We recognise that challenge.' She said the 'easiest way to deal with that challenge' would be for the UK Government to scrap the two-child cap and proposals to cut disabled benefits. Scottish Labour's Paul O'Kane said: 'For all the rhetoric we've had from the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary after 18 years in office, relative child poverty after housing costs has only fallen by 1%. 'When the Cabinet Secretary says rates are broadly stable, what she means is that the dial hasn't shifted.' The Scottish Fiscal Commission said the mitigation will cost around £150 million next year, before rising to nearly £200 million by the end of the decade. Ms Somerville said around 43,000 children would benefit initially, rising to 50,000 by the end of the decade. In March, the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned the policy could harm incentives to work because some of the lowest-paid workers could earn more on welfare than in employment. The move has been welcomed by anti-poverty charities, who have urged the UK Government to scrap the cap, with the Child Poverty Action Group saying the move would lift 350,000 children across the UK out of poverty.
