New benefit will be fit for the modern workplace.
Social Justice Secretary has welcomed the
publication of responses to a consultation on Employment Injury
Assistance (EIA), the Scottish benefit which will replace the
UK's outdated Industrial Injuries Scheme.
The Scottish Government is not planning to replace this scheme
with a like-for-like Scottish equivalent. Instead a stakeholder
group will be established consisting of experts and organisations
with experience of supporting people to access the Industrial
Injuries Scheme.
Ms Somerville said:
“The Industrial Injuries Scheme was introduced more than 75 years
ago to provide social security support to workers, typically from
heavy, historically state-owned, industries who became disabled
or developed a long-term health condition as a result of their
employment.
“Successive UK Governments have delivered minimal reform. A
like-for-like replacement would be complex, poor value for money
and would not meet the needs of people in the modern workforce.
“We will prioritise longer term reform so that Employment Injury
Assistance better meets Scotland's needs. This is the option
which was supported by the largest number of responses to the
consultation.
“The stakeholder group will provide valuable input into the work
we are doing to address many of the unique complexities
associated with the delivery of EIA.”
Background:
Employment Injury Assistance (EIA) delivery – Next Steps:
Analysis of Consultation Responses: https://www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781836019480
Employment Injury Assistance (EIA) delivery - Next Steps:
Scottish Government Response: https://www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781836019497
Membership of the Stakeholder group will be announced shortly
