Volunteers asked to shape new Scottish welfare system
| MSP for the Angus South Constituency, Graeme Dey, has encouraged constituents of all backgrounds with experience of the current benefits system to join the Scottish Government’s Experience Panels shaping Scotland’s new social security system.
Ethnic minorities, those living in rural communities and people under 25 are being particularly encouraged to apply to make panels as representative as possible. The 2,400 Social Security Experience Panel members who have signed up so far are helping shape every detail of Social Security Scotland – from the opening hours to the design of benefit application forms. Members are regularly asked for their views in a number of ways, including workshops, interviews and surveys that can be carried out face-to-face, on the phone and online. Appealing for participants in Angus South, Mr Dey said: “It is so important that people with lived experience of the existing UK welfare system are informing the design of Scotland’s new devolved one – which is to be based on dignity, fairness and respect. “I would therefore encourage anyone in Angus South with such experience, and particularly those groups most in demand – young people, ethnic minorities and those living rurally – to apply to join the Experience Panels and share their insight. “You can apply online, by calling 0800 029 4974, or on paper forms which can be requested by phone or by emailing socialsecurityexperience@gov.scot. “Those already involved report a most rewarding experience – an opportunity to improve so many lives through the development of a better, just social security system for Scotland.” Rob, a volunteer experience panel member, said: “Sadly there isn’t a week which goes by without a story in a national newspaper highlighting the systemic problem with the current social security system administered by the DWP. “Joining the Experience Panel has given me a renewed sense of purpose and has allowed me to meet and work alongside a range of other people with first-hand experience of the current system. “The panels have brought us together with a common purpose to make the most of this unique opportunity to help design a new Social Security system fit for a 21st century Scotland.” |
