Chamber and committees

I appreciate that.

I will finish by remarking that although, according to the Scottish Government, it might be easier to apply in the new system, a no is still a no. None of the criteria with regard to benefits has changed under ADP compared with PIP. I might get a nicer letter from Social Security Scotland saying no, but it will still be a no. The disability community is looking for some work on that.

Thank you.

I absolutely understand that. Maybe you could come back to the committee in writing on this, but my understanding is that there is a duty on local authorities to take action and that, by taking court action, they become a secured creditor with regard to any debt that builds up. Obviously, that then leads to pressure and burdens on people. Is that understanding correct? If so, has any thought been given to waiving that duty, even for the short term as we go through this crisis, and would that require statutory changes?

I have no interests to declare, convener.

To follow that up, will people be less well off for that period under DLA compared to PIP, or it is the other way around? Which of the two is likely to see somebody getting that backdating happening quicker, or are they both the same?

That clarification was helpful.

I also want to ask about the review of mobility, particularly with regard to cars, that you mentioned towards the end of your opening statement. I welcome your comments in that respect. Clearly there is the pilot programme, and then the full programme will start in August. When do you expect your work in that respect to be completed, and do you have any feeling with regard to where it might go? Perhaps that second question is a bit unfair.

My understanding is that the backdating that is available is different for DLA compared to that for PIP, and that there may be people who will be less well off as a result of that transfer happening. Has any mitigation been considered for that?

Will it be made clear to someone who phones up Social Security Scotland to get that initial advice that the best thing to do would be to seek advice from an independent individual?

No, I do not have a question.

Good morning, panel. Which is easier or harder to forecast: a benefit that goes to lots of people such as the cold weather payment, which I think goes to most people in Scotland, or something like the new ADP, which is much more variable? Can you guide the committee as to which benefits we should be looking at in that respect?