MSPs pledge support for fairer benefits system

​ MSPs have shown their support for a campaign to ensure that Scotland’s new social security does not fail people living with disabilities across the country.
 
Multiple sclerosis (MS) Society Scotland visited Holyrood last week [25-27 February] to urge the Scottish Government to scrap the nonsensical and unfair ‘20-metre rule’.
 
The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) UK-wide system which people living in Scotland currently apply for is set to be devolved next year for new applicants.
 
The Scottish Government has pledged to end to PIP when powers are transferred to Holyrood but is yet to confirm whether the nonsensical arbitrary 20-metre rule, which states that anyone who can walk this short distance is not entitled to the higher rate of mobility assistance, will remain a part of the devolved system.
 
This widely unpopular rule can severely hit people’s independence and is a particularly poor fit for conditions like MS where people’s symptoms fluctuate.
 
Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, pledged his support for a new system that offers the right level of support to ensure that people can remain as independent as possible.
Colin Beattie said: “The PIP system is unfair to many and needs to be changed. The UK Government needs to transfer this power to Scotland so that we can enact a fairer system that works for those who need it most. I support and appreciate the work of MS Society Scotland to create a fair system.”
 
More than 15,000 people live with MS in Scotland and nearly one in six will lose out on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) support because of the 20-metre rule. As a result of this rule, thousands with MS have been stripped of their Motability cars and left trapped in their homes and unable to work, seen their health deteriorate, and been forced to face stressful and lengthy appeals to get their benefits reinstated.
 
Morna Simpkins, director of MS Society Scotland, said: “We’ve long known about the enormous harm caused when PIP takes vital support away from people with MS. Not only does the process lack respect for people and their lives but arbitrary and nonsensical conditions like the 20-metre rule can deprive people of vital support.
 
“We urge the Scottish Government to reform the assessment system – including the nonsensical and arbitrary 20-metre rule.
 
“We have heard pledges that under devolution the system will treat people with respect and dignity and what we have heard from our community is that for that to happen then, simply put, this rule must be scrapped.
 
“MS can be painful and exhausting, it shouldn’t be made harder by a welfare system that doesn’t make sense.”