Norman Gray says young carers need respite care associations and support.

Mr Gray says there should be a reward in kind for them.

Labour MSP Mark Griffin asks about whether the new rules should be in primary legislation or secondary legislation.

Brian Hurton says not using private contractors in assessments should be enshrined in legislation to ensure it will never be reversed.

Mr Hurton says he is concerned about future governments reversing this decision.

'Your Say' witness Brian Hurton says the group believes there needs to be more clarity on who the government are working with on creating rules and regulations.

Mr Hurton says the benefit system needs to be simplified and that the language needs to be improved for example using "assistance" as opposed to "benefits".

He says claimants want to be treated with dignity and respect.

Image source, bbc

Moira Sinclair says winter fuel payments should come via vouchers or be paid directly to fuel costs.

Ms Sinclair says the 'Your Say' group back the increase in carers allowance but it is only a step in the right direction, it should be a living wage.

She says the current system on discretionary housing payments appears to be run on a postcode lottery.

Ms Sinclair says people who are facing assessments want to be presentable but it does not mean that everything is ok and they are coping.

The 'Your Say' witness says the criteria for carers' allowance must be looked at and it should not be "an all or nothing" situation.

She says carers should be able to claim part of the benefit and underlines the money carers save the state.

Ms Sinclair says "there must be more recognition that disabled people work" or have worked previously.

Image source, bbc

Committee convener Sandra White says one of the striking things about the workshop was the issue of debilitating illnesses and the condescending remarks claimants faced.

Ms White asks about life time awards.

Moira Sinclair says this became more difficult with the move to PIP.

Ms Sinclair says she will not grow a new skeleton anytime soon and says she has a condition that will not improve.

She says there are good days and bad days and the people going to assessments are making an effort and they should not be penalised.

Mr Gray says reviews of ongoing claims should only happen when circumstances change.

He says there should be more respect for medical professionals and there should be a more straightforward appeals process.

The 'Your Say' witness says if there is an over-payment, and the right information was supplied by the claimant, then this "should not be recoverable."

Image source, bbc

Brian Hurton tells the committee that he has a degenerative condition and describes his experiences.

Norman Gray says the 'Your Say' group supported the objective of putting dignity and respect at the heart of the Scottish social security system.

Mr Gray says the proposed charter should contain:

• transparency around decisions
• timescales for processes
• different communication challenges

'Your Say' witness Norman Gray says this is the third time he has appeared before committee although not in receipt of social security himself.

He says he has represented both his son and daughter who are in receipt of benefits.

'Your Say' witness Moira Sinclair says she has problems with her hips and is in receipt of DLA.

Ms Sinclair says she works and pays more in tax than she receives in DLA.

She says she fears she will lose her mobility car which will create difficulties for her getting to work.

The predecessor Welfare Reform Committee ran an initiative called 'Your Say' where benefit claimants were encouraged to write in with their experiences of the social security system.

The Social Security committee agreed in the spring to host a workshop of this group to get their views on the Social Security Bill.

The workshop was held on 24 August and more than a dozen witnesses with their carers attended, as well as the convener. .

Image source, PA

The attendees came from all over Scotland and were on a range of benefits, although most of them disability-related.

The attendees ran through the committee’s call for evidence and discussed their views.

Three of the attendees agreed to appear before the committee to represent the views of the group.

They will read out a statement of the views expressed and then answer questions from the committee

Social Security Committee convener Sandra White introduces the 'Your Say' witnesses, who will give evidence on the Social Security Bill, external:

• Norman Gray
• Brian Hurton
• Moira Sinclair

The Social Security Committee takes evidence on the Social Security (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 from 'Your Say' witnesses:

• Norman Gray
• Brian Hurton
• Moira Sinclair

Image source, Getty Images

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill and SNP MSP Ruth Maguire will then report back to the committee on the Inclusion Scotland event they attended on 16 August.

Image source, LUKASSEK

Finally the committee will take evidence on the Universal Credit (Claims and Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/227) from-

• John Dickie from the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland
• Jeremy Hewer from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
• Michael McClements from COSLA
• Emma Shields from Renfrewshire Council

Image source, Scottish Parliament/PA/BBC

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on 7 September 2017.

The Social Security Committee will take evidence on the Social Security Bill from 'Your Say' witnesses.

MSPs will then take evidence on the Universal Credit (Claims and Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/227).

After general questions, first minister’s questions gets underway, with all eyes on Alex Rowley who is stepping up to the plate for Labour, after Kezia Dugdale benched herself from this political ball game.

Then ....... Alex Rowley will lead a member’s debate backing the CAS call to stop the accelerated roll out of Universal Credit.

MSPs then continue to debate the programme for government.