Chamber and committees

I have a quick question to clarify what has been said. Some of the changes that the witnesses have suggested with regard to how the appeal process would work would need a change in the primary legislation. It is not purely about administration and filling out forms. If we were to go to a one appeal or redetermination process, we would need to change the 2018 act. Is that correct?

Mr Gass is nodding—can you just say yes for the record?

Thank you.

From a practitioner’s perspective, would it be easier to have one port of call for an appeal?

There is always a first time.

I should remind members that I am on the enhanced rate of PIP and that I am a former member of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.

I notice that, at the moment, 365 of the 1,745 ADP appeals have been decided. Are you concerned that backlogs are already occurring in such a new system? Are you also facing that experience?

Richard, do you have anything else to add to that?

You will be glad to hear that we are coming to the end of our questions. Do you have any comments on any other specific measures in the bill that you have not had a chance to comment on yet?

I thank you both for coming to the committee and for all the work that your organisations do. I know that you help so many people.

Good morning, and thank you for coming. My question is about representation of your clients. My understanding is that someone can tick a box and you can represent them for three months but that, after that, they must go back to Social Security Scotland. Is that causing you any problems? Would it be easier if someone could tick a box to say, for example, that they want to be represented from the start to whenever the final decision is made?

Thank you. That is really helpful. I will open this up slightly wider, as this is a chance for the committee and the Parliament to review the proposed legislation. Is there anything that you would like to see in the bill that is not in it? I appreciate that you have only a few minutes and that you could go on for a long time on that subject.