Scottish Secretary signs Scotland Act Order (SAO)
Ian Murray today signed an SAO to ensure the Scottish Government’s new Pension Age Disability Payment is recognised in the same way as Attendance Allowance.
Ian Murray signing the Scotland Act Order in Queen Elizabeth House
The Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, today [18 October] completed the legislative process to ensure that the Scottish Government’s new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is recognised in the same way as Attendance Allowance (AA).
In Spring 2024, the Scottish Government legislated to replace AA with PADP. This followed the Scotland Act 2016, which delivered new welfare powers for Holyrood.
Mr Murray said:
Resetting the relationship between Scotland’s two governments has been a priority for the Prime Minister and myself since the election.
The Scottish Parliament has chosen to legislate for Pension Age Disability Payment to replace Attendance Allowance, and the UK Government will work to ensure these payments work within the broader UK benefits framework - so Scots don’t lose out on things like their £10 Christmas Bonus.
This is about the UK Government and the Scottish Government working together. This is devolution in action. The vast majority of Scots want to see their governments work together to produce better results, that’s what we’re getting on with doing.
Scotland Act Orders are pieces of secondary legislation made under the Scotland Act 1998. They are used to implement, update or adjust Scotland’s devolution settlement.
This order ensures that people receiving the new payment qualify for relevant entitlements reserved to the UK Government, such as the £10 Christmas Bonus.
The signing of the Order followed a debate in Parliament in October.
PADP will replace AA in Scotland on 21 October.