Chair appointed to new body to scrutinise social security

The chair of a new body which will scrutinise the Scottish social security system has been announced.

Dr Sally Witcher, CEO of Inclusion Scotland and deputy chair of the Disability and Carers’ Benefits Expert Advisory Group, has been appointed to the role by Scottish ministers.

The establishment of the Scottish Commission on Social Security was announced in January last year.

It will aim to provide independent and expert scrutiny of the Scottish social security system (including the benefit regulations), and hold ministers to account for delivering a system based on “dignity, fairness and respect”.

A member of the Scottish Government’s Poverty and Inequality Commission, Dr Witcher has accumulated around 30 years of experience working on matters relating to social security.

Dr Witcher called the appointment “an honour” and described the chance to build on the bill passed by the Scottish Parliament in April 2018 as “historic”.

Dr Witcher said: “The Social Security Act Scotland represents an historic opportunity to establish a coherent system based on dignity and respect.

“The challenge now will be to ensure that the positive commitments set out in the Charter are translated into the real-life experience of people claiming devolved benefits.

“The Scottish Commission on Social Security will have a key role to play in scrutinising developments and promoting accountability.

“It is a great honour to be appointed to the role of Chair of the Commission.”

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP said: “I am delighted to appoint Sally Witcher to this new but vitally important role.

“As we continue to build a Scottish social security system it is only right that we are held to account for the decisions we take.

“I know that Sally shares my desire to create a social security system based upon the principles of dignity, fairness and respect and I warmly welcome her to this position.”