Chamber and committees

I was interested in your opening remark that this is not the time to do it—or that the capacity is not there to do it at the moment. I am sorry if I have misquoted you. Why do you think that that is the case? Is it because there is too much happening in Social Security Scotland for it to take that on as well? Where is the capacity issue as far as you are concerned?

I have a quick question for Dr Simpson. The Scottish Government argues that most people will gain under the proposals, but it recognises that some will not. Have you done any analysis of who will gain and—perhaps more important—who will lose out under the regulations? Is that simply a geographical question, or is it an issue to do with disability as well?

Thank you. Convener, you will be glad to hear that it is my last question and I will be brief.

I will go back to Frazer Scott’s earlier comment that February is not the right month for people to get the payment. I understand why you think that, but can you suggest which month would be appropriate for that payment?

I ask the same question of Mark Simpson. Do you or the commission have a view on that?

I have a couple of questions that build on what we have discussed. They are about eligibility criteria—in particular, around those who have a disability. Some people are on disability payments but not on other benefits. Are you concerned that they will miss out, and would you like the criteria to be extended to all adults who are on the new disability living allowance?

Thank you.

Mark, I will rephrase the question slightly for you because, in recommendation 9 of your report, you picked up the point that those who are on the new adult disability payment but who receive in-work benefits will not get the payment. Is that a concern for you? Would you like the Scottish Government to reconsider that? If so, why?

Good morning, panel. I want to go back to Frazer Scott with a question that follows on from my colleagues’ questions.

Next week, all that we can do is vote yes or no for the regulations, and I suspect that we will all vote yes. Looking ahead, however, if you could have another year to help to redesign the regulations—you would have six to nine months—what would you say to the committee and to the Scottish Government about how to improve them? Could we do that through the payment, or would it be better if the Government indicated that it would create a new benefit, which it has the power to do? Should the regulations be amended or should a new benefit be created?

In your model, where do expect to be at this time next year, say, with regard to the number of advocates that you have in Scotland?

That was helpful. I have one more question, and then I will leave it to my colleagues to pick up on other areas.

Obviously, your organisation offers advice throughout the process, including with attendance at tribunals. You say that you have 19 advocates but, if we are talking about disability cases going to tribunals, the fact is that there can be up to eight, nine or 10 tribunals meeting at the same time in Scotland from Shetland to Stornoway. Are you confident that, with that number of staff, you will be able to provide a service for somebody on the day of their tribunal?

I was going to make the same point, but perhaps I can answer Pam Duncan-Glancy’s question myself.

I happen to sit on the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee, which met on Tuesday to discuss the regulations. We, too, had quite a lot of concerns about this being the second additional instrument laid under the initial regulations, so we have written to ask the Scottish Government for an explanation and I have asked for that response to be shared with this committee. As a result, we might not, on this occasion, have to write separately. Once the DPLR Committee receives a response, we can respond to it, if that is helpful, convener.