Social Security subject profile

Author: Camilla Kidner

PDF Published: Wednesday 10 Jun 2026 (SB 26-31)

Expand
Overview
Report

Hide

Hide

Overview
Report
- Summary
- Devolved and reserved benefits
  - Links between devolved and reserved benefits
- Development of Scottish Social Security 2013 to 2026
  - Before 2016: Local authority payments
  - Smith Commission and Scotland Act 2016
  - A system based on dignity and respect
  - Creating new benefits: the Social Security Programme 2017 - 2026
    
    Cost of creating the new system
    
    Responsibility transfers to Social Security Scotland
  - Total development and administrative spend
  - Work remaining to be done
    
    New benefits
    
    Administrative improvements
- Funding and spending on devolved benefits
- Policy Issues
  - Increasing demand for disability benefits
  - Disability Benefit Reform
  - Divergence from UK Social Security
  - Affordability of social security
  - Child Poverty
  - Administrative Issues
Sources

Shows how most benefit spending is on state pension (£11,648m) and Universal Credit (£7398m). Devolved disability benefits are next largest at £4,924m).

Image: Chart 1: Devolved and reserved benefit spending in Scotland, 2024-25

Shows spending increasing from £3,514 million in 2020 to a forecast £9,156 million in 2030 with spending on Adult Disability Payment forecast at £5,308 million in 2030.

Image: Chart 4: Spending on devolved benefits, £m, 2020 to 2030

Shows how total BGAs increase from £3,207 million in 2020 to a forecast £8,204 million in 2030.

Image: Chart 5: Social security BGAs, 2020 to 2030, £m

Image: Chart 6: Spend above BGA, 2020 to 2030, £m.

Shows how additional spending rose from around £200 million in 2020 to around £1,000 million from 2027 onwards. Around half of the additional spend is on children in low income families.

Image: Chart 7: Additional spend on social security by type of client, 2020 to 2030, £m

Shows implementation investment is much lower than other administrative and development costs in all years except 2019-20.

Image: Chart 3: Total implementation and administrative spending, £m

Shows how authorised applications for ADP grew quickly from launch in August 2022 reaching a peak of 7,640 in November 2023. Monthly figures have since declined, with around 3,000 authorised applications per month between June 2025 and January 2026.

Image: Chart 8: Adult Disability Payment authorised applications, 2022 to 2026.

Shows the steady growth in PIP caseload from around 200,000 in 2019 to around 300,000 at the launch of ADP in 2022. Since then, combining those transferred from PIP to ADP and new ADP clients caseload has continued to grow reaching around 500,000 by January 2026.

Image: Chart 9: PIP and ADP caseload, 2019 to 2026

Shows the variation in processing times by benefits. Longest processing times are for Carer Support Payment (71 working days on average in March 2026). In contrast, Pension Age Disability Payment took only 10 working days on average in January 2026.

Image: Chart 10: Application processing times since January 2025. Median working days.

Shows actual slightly below forecast in 2020 and from 2022 to 2024. Spending peaked in 2021 at between £130m and £140m and fell to around £50m by 2025.

Image: Chart 2: Implementation investment, forecast and actual, £m

Scottish Government. (2025). Government expenditure and revenue in Scotland 2024/25. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/government-expenditure-revenue-scotland-2024-25/documents/ [accessed 13 April 2026]

Department for Work and Pensions. (2025). Benefits Caseload and Expenditure . Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables [accessed 9 June 2026]

Scottish Government. (2025). Scottish Government high level action plan in response to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-high-level-action-plan-response-committee-economic-social-cultural-rights/pages/13/ [accessed 13 April 2026]

Scottish Parliament. (2017). Chamber Official Report 19 December 2017, col 24. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/api/sitecore/CustomMedia/OfficialReport?meetingId=11275 [accessed 13 April 2026]

Scottish Government. (2026). Social Security Programme 2017-2026 Delivery Report. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-programme-2017-2026-delivery-report/ [accessed 13 April 2026]

Audit Scotland. (2022). Progress in implementing the devolved benefits. Retrieved from https://audit.scot/publications/social-security-progress-on-implementing-the-devolved-benefits [accessed 13 April 2026]

Disability and Carer Expert Advisory Group. (2023). Beyond safe and secure transfer. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/independent-report/2023/03/disability-carer-benefits-expert-advisory-group-beyond-safe-secure-transfer/documents/disability-carer-benefits-expert-advisory-group-beyond-safe-secure-transfer/disability-carer-benefits-expert-advisory-group-beyond-safe-secure-transfer/govscot%3Adocument/disability-carer-benefits-expert-advisory-group-beyond-safe-secure-transfer.pdf [accessed 13 April 2026]

Harris, E. (2025). Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/independent-report/2025/07/independent-review-adult-disability-payment-final-report/documents/independent-review-adult-disability-payment-final-report/independent-review-adult-disability-payment-final-report/govscot%3Adocument/independent-review-adult-disability-payment-final-report.pdf [accessed 13 April 2026]

Scottish Parliament. (2026). Social Justice and Social Security Committee Official Report, 12 March 2026, col 9. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/api/sitecore/CustomMedia/OfficialReport?meetingId=20144 [accessed 13 April 2026]

Scottish Parliament. (2017). Financial Memorandum Social Security (Scotland) Bill. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/previous-bills/social-security-scotland-bill/introduced/financial-memorandum-social-security-scotland-bill.pdf [accessed 13 April 2026]

Scottish Government. (2020). Programme Business Case. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-programme-business-case-executive-summary/documents/ [accessed 13 April 2026]

Scottish Government. (2023). Revised Programme Business Case. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/executive-summary-social-security-business-case-february-2023/ [accessed 13 April 2026]

Scottish Parliament. (2026). David Wallace, Social Justice and Social Security Committ Official Report, 22 January 2026, col 4. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/api/sitecore/CustomMedia/OfficialReport?meetingId=20033

Scottish Government. (2026). Scottish Government Draft Budget 2026-27. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-budget-2026-2027/pages/7/ [accessed 14 April 2026]

Scottish Government. (2026). Scottish Budget 2026-27, annex D.02 . Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-budget-2026-2027/documents/ [accessed 9 June 2026]

Scottish Government. (2016). A New Future for Social Security. Retrieved from https://consult.gov.scot/social-security/social-security-in-scotland/supporting_documents/Consultation%20on%20social%20security%20in%20Scotland%20%20full%20version.pdf [accessed 15 April 2026]

Scottish Parliament. (2026). Social Justice and Social Security Committee Official Report, 22 January 2026, col 11. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/api/sitecore/CustomMedia/OfficialReport?meetingId=20033 [accessed 14 April 2026]

Scottish Parliament. (2026). David Wallace, Social Justice and Social Security Committee Official Report, 22 January 2026, col 31. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/api/sitecore/CustomMedia/OfficialReport?meetingId=20033 [accessed 14 April 2026]

Department for Work and Pensions. (2025). Benefit expenditure and caseload tables. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2025 [accessed 20 May 2026]

Scottish Government. (2021). Fiscal Framework Outturn Report . Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/fiscal-framework-outturn-report-2021/pages/8/

Scottish Fiscal Commission. (2026). More people reporting disabilities and receiving support.. Retrieved from https://fiscalcommission.scot/more-people-reporting-disabilities-and-receiving-support/ [accessed 15 April 2026]

Scottish Government. (2026). Understanding the drivers of changes in demand for disability benefits in Scotland.. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/understanding-drivers-changes-demand-disability-benefits-scotland-2010-quick-scoping-review/pages/7/ [accessed 15 April 2026]

Institute for Fiscal Studies. (2025). The role of changing health in rising health related benefit claims. Retrieved from https://ifs.org.uk/publications/role-changing-health-rising-health-related-benefit-claims [accessed 15 April 2026]

Resolution Foundation. (2024). Under Strain. Retrieved from https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/app/uploads/2024/06/20-Under-strain.pdf [accessed 15 April 2026]

Institute for Fiscal Studies. (2025). Do disability benefit claims rise when other benefits are cut?. Retrieved from https://ifs.org.uk/publications/do-disability-benefit-claims-rise-when-other-benefits-are-cut [accessed 15 April 2026]

Social Security Scotland. (2026). Adult Disability Payment statistics. Retrieved from https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/publications/2026/03/adult-disability-payment-statistics-to-31-january-2026 [accessed 9 June 2026]

Milburn, A. (2026). Young people and work: Interim report. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/young-people-and-work-interim-report/young-people-and-work-interim-report#chapter-6-a-welfare-state-not-designed-for-participation [accessed 2 June 2026]

Scottish Government. (2026). Response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-response-independent-review-adult-disability-payment-final-report/ [accessed 15 April 2026]

Scottish Government. (2023). Scottish Carer's Assistance Consultation: Scottish Government Response. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-scottish-carers-assistance-consultation-scottish-government-response/pages/7/ [accessed 15 April 2026]

Scottish Parliament. (2026). John Swinney, Chamber Official Report, 29 January 2026, col 9. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-29-01-2026?meeting=20034&iob=207680 [accessed 15 April 2026]

Scottish Parliament Finance and Public Administration Committee. (2026). Report on 2026-27 Budget. Retrieved from https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/Report/FPA/2026/2/5/64e8da4f-f7da-49d2-a6df-34315f71b064 [accessed 15 April 2026]

Scottish Fiscal Commission. (2026). Fiscal Sustainability Perspectives. What Scotland's finances mean for the next parliament.. Retrieved from https://fiscalcommission.scot/publications/fiscal-sustainability-perspectives-what-scotlands-finances-mean-for-the-next-parliament-february-2026/ [accessed 15 April 2026]

Scottish Fiscal Commission. (2026). Scottish Economic and Fiscal Forecasts. Retrieved from https://fiscalcommission.scot/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Scotlands-Economic-and-Fiscal-Forecasts-January-2026-revised-11-02-2026.pdf [accessed 15 2026]

Scottish Government. (2025). Medium Term Financial Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-fiscal-outlook-scottish-governments-medium-term-financial-strategy-3/ [accessed 15 April 2026]

Audit Scotland. (2025). Financial Sustainability and Taxes. Retrieved from https://audit.scot/uploads/2025-11/nr_251113_fiscal_sustainability_tax.pdf

Scottish Parliament. (2026). John Dickie, Social Justice and Social Security Committee Official Report, 15 January 2026, col 3. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/api/sitecore/CustomMedia/OfficialReport?meetingId=20019 [accessed 15 April 2026]

Last Updated: 10/6 1:55pm

An error occured while loading, please try again in a few minutes.