An independent Scotland would have the opportunity to create a
new approach to social security that could transform lives and
ensure a decent standard of living for all, according to a new
paper to be launched on 6 December.
The ninth paper in the Building a New Scotland Series – Social
Security in an independent Scotland – will outline the progress
the Scottish Government has already made with limited powers and
demonstrate how an independent Scotland could go even further.
Social Justice Secretary said:
“The Scottish Parliament has shown how Scotland can make
different choices and deliver a fairer system with more positive
outcomes. Independence would provide us with an opportunity to go
further and transform the way benefits are delivered in this
country.
“With independence, we could ensure everyone has a decent
standard of living and provide a strong safety net people could
turn to when times are financially tough.
“Currently, the UK system fails to provide an adequate level of
support for those who need it. As a result, the UK has higher
poverty rates than European nations that are comparable to
Scotland.
“With limited powers, the Scottish Government has introduced
transformative policies such as the Scottish Child Payment, which
is estimated to lift 50,000 children out of relative poverty in
2023-24.
“However, it is only with the full powers of independence that we
could use the full fiscal and economic levers to tackle poverty
in Scotland.”
Background
Building a New
Scotland
