The number of complaints made to Social Security Scotland has shot up dramatically in the last year.
In 2021-22 there were 400 complaints about benefits in Scotland – up 74% from 230 in 2020-21.
The figures published today by the Scottish Government show there have now been almost 900 complaints since Social Security Scotland was set up in 2018.
Of the 400 received in the 12 months to March this year, 39% related to the Best Start Grant/Best Start Foods, 23% to the Scottish Child Payment and 20% to the Child Disability Payment.
The Scottish Conservatives have called on the SNP government to improve service delivery for people needing access to benefits.
Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Miles Briggs MSP, said: “These statistics make it clear that Scots are increasingly unhappy with how the SNP government are handling benefit payments.
“Support payments need to be well streamlined and accessible to best support those who are in need.
“But this sharp rise in complaints highlights SNP incompetence when it comes to helping the people who need it most.
“The SNP need to take these complaints as the wake-up call that they are, and urgently address the flaws in how benefit payments are rolled out.
“The Scottish Conservatives would work with the UK Government to ensure that benefits are being delivered effectively and on time.”
Notes
The number of complaints towards Social Security Scotland have almost doubled in the financial year 2021-22. In 2021-22, Social Security Scotland received 400 complaints, an all-time high since its establishment in 2018, whereas the number of complaints for 2020-21 was only 230. In 2018-19, Social Security Scotland had only received 75 complaints. Furthermore, the number of compliments has decreased, with 45 compliments received in 2021-22 as opposed to 55 compliments in 2020-21. (The Scottish Government, Social Security Scotland feedback statistics to 31 March 2022, 26 July 2022, link).
Since 2018, the majority of complaints were related to the Best Start Grant or Best Start Foods. Since 2018, Social Security Scotland has received 505 complaints related to the Best Start Grant and/or the Best Start Foods. This is followed by Carer's Allowance Supplement (125 complaints), the Scottish Child Payment (105 complaints) the Child Disability Payment (80 complaints), the Funeral Support Payment (40 complaints), the Child Winter Heating Assistance (10 Complaints) and the Job Start Payment (5 complaints) while also receiving 20 complaints that were not specific. (The Scottish Government, Social Security Scotland feedback statistics to 31 March 2022, 26 July 2022, link).