Image source, bbc

Jessica Burns, regional tribunal judge, from Social Security and Child Support says control of social security will not be entirely in Scotland's grasp.

Ms Burns says there might be difficulties with the public perception of this.

She says: "It is all about accessibility."

Ms Burns highlights the importance of advice and assistance and says there will still be role for independent advisers.

Image source, LUKASSEK

Legislation to set up a Scottish social security agency was published in June.

Holyrood is taking on a range of welfare powers under the Scotland Act 2016, and is setting up a dedicated body to oversee them.

The Social Security (Scotland) Bill, external will give the Scottish government the power to deliver 11 benefits.

These include disability living allowance, personal independence payments, carer's allowances and winter fuel payments.

Social Security Secretary Angela Constance has announced the timetable for delivery of the first benefits to be devolved.

Under the plans, an increased carer's allowance would be payable from the summer of 2018, while the Best Start Grant, a replacement for the maternity grant to target child poverty, and the Funeral Expense Assistance grant would be paid from the summer of 2019.

Dr Jim McCormick from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation broadly welcomes the Bill.

Dr McCormick highlights the issue of the take up of benefits and that will require more discussion around accessibility.

John Dickie from the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland (CPAG) says the principles must be reflected in the detail of the Bill.

The Social Security (Scotland) Bill, external tabled at Holyrood provides a mechanism to pay a carer's allowance supplement at the earliest opportunity, as well as powers to top up reserved benefits.

It provides the over-arching framework for the administration of social security in Scotland, and places a duty on Scottish ministers to give assistance to persons entitled to it.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said the legislation was a "significant moment for Scotland and for the history of devolution".

She said: "I believe strongly that everyone has a right to social security - so much so that I have put these principles on the very first page of this Bill.

"And these principles are embedded in our approach throughout - whether it is how entitlement to benefits is determined, a more just review and appeals system, or our decision to remove the private sector from disability benefit assessments."

Peter Kelly from the Poverty Alliance broadly welcomes the content of the Bill and the principles of the Bill.

Mr Kelly welcomes the principles of dignity and respect.

He calls for the role of tackling poverty being a principle of the BIll.

Image source, bbc

Social Security Committee convener Sandra White introduces:

• John Dickie from the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland (CPAG), external
• Peter Kelly from The Poverty Alliance, external
• Dr Jim McCormick from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, external
• Jessica Burns, regional tribunal judge, from Social Security and Child Support

You can read the submissions on the committee papers here., external

Social Security Committee convener Sandra White gets underway.

The Committee will begin with Subordinate legislation and consideration of the following negative instrument:

• The Universal Credit (Claims and Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/227)

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that Scotland’s new social security agency will be headquartered in Dundee, bringing hundreds of jobs to the city.

The new agency will also have a site in Glasgow, with the two locations together creating at least 1,500 jobs split evenly between the two cities.

The first minister made the announcement as she met social security stakeholders in Dundee.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Having powers over newly devolved benefits presents an exciting opportunity to create a social security system for Scotland that is fairer and based on dignity and respect.

“I’m delighted to confirm that Dundee and Glasgow will be the locations of the new social security agency. Establishing headquarters in Dundee demonstrates our support for the city’s ongoing regeneration. Having two sites will ensure that economic benefit is spread between the east and west of Scotland and across the cities’ neighbouring areas.

“The agency will also have a local presence with additional staff working across the country that will ensure that economic benefit and jobs will also be spread across all parts of Scotland.

“Our new social security system is the largest, most complex programme of change in the history of devolution. We will continue to work hard to engage with local partners and our innovative social security Experience Panel as we develop the service.”

Read more here.

The main business before the Social Security Committee this morning is scrutiny of the Social Security Bill:

MSPs will quiz:

• John Dickie from the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland (CPAG), external
• Peter Kelly from The Poverty Alliance, external
• Dr Jim McCormick from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, external
• Jessica Burns, regional tribunal judge, from Social Security and Child Support

Image source, Getty Images

MSPs will then take evidence from:

Jatin Haria from the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER), externalChris Oswald from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, externalEmma Ritch from Engender, externalJudith Robertson from the Scottish Human Rights Commission, external

You can read the submissions on the committee papers here., external

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on 21 September 2017.

First up this morning we will bring you full and extensive coverage of the Social Security Committee as it takes evidence from a range of witnesses on the Social Security Bill.

After general questions we’ll bring you extensive coverage of first minister’s questions, including all the social media reaction.

Image source, Scottish Parliament/PA

The lunchtime member’s debate is entitled ‘National Eye Health Week 2017 and the Threat to Vision Posed by Diabetic Retinopathy’.

The afternoon session in the chamber gets underway with the preliminary stage debate on the Edinburgh Bakers’ Widows’ Fund Bill.

Then MSPs will debate the Contract (Third Party Rights) (Scotland) Bill for the last time, before voting on whether to pass it.