Ensuring Industrial Injuries Benefit Meets People’s Needs
A consultation on replacing the UK Government’s Industrial Injuries Scheme in Scotland has been launched.
Views are sought on how the Scottish Government’s planned Employment Injury Assistance should be delivered and on the next steps for introducing this benefit.
The consultation is the first step in considering how the replacement benefit can better meet the needs of the modern workforce and be more reflective of occupational health and employment.
The consultation will run for 8 weeks and will close on 24 June 2024.
This is yet another important devolved social security payment currently in development by this Scottish Government.
GRAEME
I would encourage constituents, particularly those with lived experience of injury at work and the existing UK scheme, to contribute to the consultation.
This will help continue the improvement we have seen in the welfare system as more areas come under the responsibility of Social Security Scotland.
Scotland is taking a very different approach to that of the UK Government’s Department of Work & Pensions – one based on dignity, fairness and respect.
The Industrial Injuries Scheme was introduced in 1948 and it does not account for many of the injuries and diseases common in the modern workforce.
SOCIAL JUSTICE SECRETARY, SHIRLEY-ANNE SOMERVILLE
We know that the outdated eligibility criteria for the Industrial Injuries Scheme does not account for the injuries and illnesses that are most likely to affect people today. This is especially true for women, young people, and people from an ethnic minority group.
We want to hear a broad range of views on the approach we should take to delivering Employment Injury Assistance, and I would encourage individuals and stakeholders to respond to our consultation.
