Scottish Commission on Social Security

Overview

The Scottish Commission on Social Security (SCoSS) is an advisory non-departmental public body set up to provide independent scrutiny of the Scottish social security system (including benefit regulations) and hold Scottish Ministers to account.

The full functions of the Commission are set out in section 22 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018. 

The Commission is separate from the Scottish Government, and carries out its work independently of both Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.

Documents and letters relating to the business of the commission are available below.

Any information or documents published here are hosted on behalf of the Commission and are not to be considered part of the Scottish Government’s official record. 

Read all SCoSS publications.

Members

Chair

• Dr Sally Witcher OBE

Members

• Sharon McIntyre
• Judith Paterson
• Dr Mark Simpson

Updates

On 19 September 2019 the Chair of SCoSS gave evidence at the Scottish Parliament Social Security Committee session regarding SCoSS scrutiny of The Carer’s Assistance (Young Carer Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2019. 

On 30 January 2020 the chair of SCoSS gave evidence at the Scottish Parliament Social Security Committee Session Regarding SCoSS scrutiny of the Scottish Child Payment draft Regulations 2020

On 27 August 2020, two members from SCoSS gave evidence at the Scottish Parliament Social Security Committee session regarding draft Winter Heating Assistance for Children and Young People (Scotland) Regulations 2020.