The Social Security Committee takes evidence on the Social Security Bill from charities
Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed by opposition party leaders and MSPs during first minister's questions
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay delivers a ministerial statement on Air Departure Tax
The Scottish government delivers a ministerial statement on Scottish City Region Deals
MSPs debate the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses Bill before voting on its general principles at decision time
Craig Smith from Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) says the biggest strength is the inclusion of the human rights principles in the Bill.
Mr Smith says the rhetoric from the government has been welcome but that also aligns with the fears of SAMH and the relationship between primary and secondary legislation.
Image source, bbcCommittee convener Sandra White introduces the second panel of witnesses:
Steven McAvoy Scotland says ENABLE would like to see mandatory reconsideration removed from the Bill.
Mr McAvoy says it increases workload for partners and is unnecessary.
He says he does not need to see the need for it and an internal review process is far more affective.
Committee convener Sandra White thanks the witnesses and ends this evidence session.
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Image source, bbcSNP MSP Ben Macpherson asks about the principles of the Social Security Bill.
Mr Macpherson asks about the principle of dignity and respect, referred to in the Inclusion Scotland submission.
Read Inclusion Scotland's submission to the committee here., external
Mr Scott says there is a need to provide adequacy of support because without it dignity and respect cannot be maintained.
He says Inclusion Scotland would like to see something on that on the face of the Bill.
Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says there is no provision in the Bill to create new benefits and asks if there should be.
Bill Scott from Inclusion Scotland says "yes" it should be on the Bill and he does not understand why the government have not taken that "important power" up.
Image source, bbcGreen MSP Alison Johnstone asks about the need to have the uprating of benefits on the face of the Bill.
Steven McAvoy from ENABLE Scotland says his charity definitely believes annual uprating should be in the Bill.
Morna Simpkins from MS Society agrees, as doe Bill Scott From Inclusion Scotland.
Steven McAvoy from ENABLE Scotland says it is important that people put the right information forward first time and that it reduces costs and workload.
Mr McAvoy says advocacy and advice makes decision makes' lives easier and also helps to support people better.
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Image source, bbcSteven McAvoy from ENABLE Scotland
Steven McAvoy from ENABLE Scotland says clients will need someone who understands the whole picture.
Mr McAvoy says there will always be objective opinions in disability assessments and people will always need advice, even if the person is not entitled to a benefit.
He says: "We need advice services to challenge legislation."
Mr McAvoy says legislation can be expanded by case law.
Morna Simpkins from MS Society says she would support advocacy being put into the Bill and that advice and advocacy is different.
Bill Scott from Inclusion Scotland says it would also fit into the premise that the government is "getting this right first time."
Mr Scott says advocacy would make it wore likely for the claims to be right first time.
Image source, bbcSteven McAvoy from ENABLE Scotland
Steven McAvoy from ENABLE Scotland says advocacy and advice are really, really important for people to address unpaid benefits.
Mr McAvoy says the complexity that is building in social security must be taken into account.
He says the new benefits are alongside legacy benefits and it is complex.
Mr McAvoy says advice relates to benefits but advocacy can be across a range of services.
He says there is real need for representation in relation to social services.
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire asks how the panel would define advocacy and what makes that different from advice or representation.
Mr Scott says an amendment has been put together with stakeholders because Inclusion believes "advocacy is essential for some disabled people."
"It is not advice," he says.
He says it is almost like having a translator in place where the advocate would make the questions intelligible.
Ms Maguire says that advocate may be someone that the person chooses rather than a professional.
Mr Scott says he would like to see the right embedded in the Bill.
Image source, PAHolyrood is to be given control over 11 benefits under the Scotland Bill and work is currently under way to set up a Scottish Social Security Agency.
It will oversee the delivery of benefits including:
The handover of powers is being phased across the current parliamentary term.
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Image source, bbcTory MSP Jeremy Balfour
Bill Scott from Inclusion Scotland says the wording of the Bill would allow the agency to substitute cash payments with in kind assistance.
Mr Scott says he believes the minister may bring forward an amendment to address this.
Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour says for some people the cash payment would not meet the cost of the service required.
Mr Scott says: "I still think that cash is the best way forward."
Bill Scott from Inclusion Scotland asks why someone would need to be assessed again if they are already getting an award for a lifetime condition.
Mr Scott says if there is no cure or chance of improvement it does not make sense to do a reassessment.
Mr Scott says all disability benefits are provided as cash assistance and therefore it is not in-kind support.
He says even with the mobility vehicle, it is the claimants decision to lease that car and therefore they decide where that money goes.
Image source, bbcSteven McAvoy from ENABLE Scotland
Steven McAvoy from ENABLE Scotland says he has seen poor assessments irrespective of the benefit being assessed.
Mr McAvoy says the decision making behind assessments is very poor.
He says ENABLE Scotland's appeal success rate is well into 90%.
Morna Simpkins from MS Society says the stress of assessments can cause a major relapse.