Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: final report
The final report of the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, written by Edel Harris OBE.
Footnotes
1 Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper (2025) - GOV.UK
2 Equality Act 2010, s. 6, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/6
3 Scotland Mid-Year Population Estimates for 2023 (October 2024), National Records of Scotland
4 Adult Disability Payment Statistics to 30 April 2025 (published June 2025), Social Security Scotland
6 Interim report (2024), Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment
7 Adult Disability Payment – mobility component: consultation analysis (August 2023), Scottish Government
8 Call for Evidence and Consultation Analysis (November 2024), Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment
9 Interim report (2024), Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment
10 Disability and Carer Benefits Expert Advisory Group: Beyond a safe and secure transfer – gov.scot
11 Scotland's Economic and Fiscal Forecasts (SEFF) - December 2024 (revised version 22 January 2025) Scottish Fiscal Commission
12 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts – May 2025, Scottish Fiscal Commission
13 Economic value of disability benefits (2025) Pro-bono Economics
15 Adult Disability Payment: Independent Review - gov.scot
16 Adult Disability Payment: Consultation on the Mobility Component - gov.scot
17 Adult Disability Payment - mobility component: consultation analysis - gov.scot
18 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: consultation - gov.scot
20 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: call for evidence - gov.scot
22 Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 – legislation.gov.uk
23 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - un.org
24 Ibid
25 A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: delivery plan (2016), Scottish Government
26 Disability Living Allowance reform: Public Consultation (2010), Department for Work and Pensions
27 Welfare trends report: January 2019, Office for Budget Responsibility
28 Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, s. 1(h)
29 Budget Bill passed - gov.scot
30 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts (December 2023), Scottish Fiscal Commission
31 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts (December 2024), Scottish Fiscal Commission
32 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts (December 2024), Scottish Fiscal Commission
33 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts (December 2024), Scottish Fiscal Commission
34 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts (December 2024), Scottish Fiscal Commission
35 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts (December 2024), Scottish Fiscal Commission
36 FAI Economic Commentary Q1 2025, Fraser of Allender Institute, 2 April 2025
37 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts (May 2025), Scottish Fiscal Commission
38 Scotland’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts – May 2025 | Scottish Fiscal Commission
39 Spending Review 2025 - GOV.UK
40 Scottish Budget: The overall fiscal and spending outlook (2025), Institute for Fiscal Studies
41 Scottish Fiscal Commission News Release: Scottish Budget Remains Tight Despite Extra Funding Following UK Autumn Budget (December 2024)
43Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper (2025) - GOV.UK
44 Analysis of Responses to the Consultation on the Mobility Component (2023).
46 Social Justice and Social Security Committee. Official Report of meeting: March 2022.
47 Social Justice and Social Security Committee. Official Report of meeting: March 2022.
48 Social Security Scotland – Client Survey Report 2023-24 (November 2024), Social Security Scotland
49 Social Security Experience Panels: Legacy report visual summary
50 Social security policy research and evaluation: publications - gov.scot
51 Disability benefits evaluation: supporting information - gov.scot
52 The Financial Wellbeing of Disabled People in the UK
53 More than money: The lifelong wellbeing impact of disability benefits
54 More than money: The lifelong wellbeing impact of disability benefits
55 Pro Bono Economics: The Cost of not getting Personal Independence Payment decisions right first time
56 Adult Disability Payment Statistics to 30 April 2025 (published June 2025), Social Security Scotland
57 UK Disability Statistics: Prevalence and Life Experiences (2024), House of Commons Library
58 How Social Security can deliver for disabled People in Scotland
60 Social Security Committee, Benefit Uptake – Submission from CEMVO Scotland (archived)
61 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
62 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
63 Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018: Benefit Take-up Strategy October 2021
64 Take-up rates of Scottish benefits 2024
65 Research into seldom-heard groups within the Scottish social security system
66 Research into seldom-heard groups within the Scottish social security system
67 Benefit Take-up Strategy October 2021
68 Research into seldom-heard groups within the Scottish social security system
69 The impact of stigma on benefit take-up
70 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
71 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
72 Homepage - National Trauma Transformation Programme
75 Ibid.
76 Notes from meeting with Inclusive New Normal (March 2025 – unpublished).
78 National Disability Insurance Agency
79 National Disability Insurance Agency: Local area co-ordination partners
80 Local Area Co-ordination, Enable Communities, https://www.enable.org.uk/enable-communities/what-we-do/local-area-coordination
81 Supporting Collaboration between the third and public sectors: A review of current evidence (2022).
82 ALISS website - aliss.org
83 https://www.gov.scot/publications/getting-it-right-for-everyone-girfe/
84 Getting it right for everyone: The Team Around the Person Toolkit 2024
85 Scottish social security system - seldom-heard groups: research - gov.scot
86 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
87 Social Security Scotland Client Panels Research: Local Delivery Service Survey 2023
88 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
89 Analysis of Responses to the Consultation on the Mobility Component (2023)
90 MS Society Scotland response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
91 MS Society Scotland response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
92 VoiceAbility Management Information (unpublished)
93 Ibid
94 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
95 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
96 Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018): Advocacy Service Standards, Scottish Government
97 Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, section 11
98 Client Survey: Disability Payments (October 2024 - March 2025)
99 Research into seldom-heard groups within the Scottish social security system
100 Get Heard Scotland Citizens Panel Report: The impact of stigma on benefit take-up
101 Our Lives, Our Solutions: The Annual Report of the Get Heard Scotland Project 2019/2020
102 Review of publicly-funded Advice Services in Scotland
103 Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 – Progress Report 2023 to 2024
104 Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 – Progress Report 2023 to 2024
105 Social Security Scotland - Our Charter
106 Social Security Scotland - Charter Measurement Framework - Update for 2024-2029
107 Social Security Scotland - Business Plan 2024 - 2025
108 Client Survey: Disability Payments (January – Mar 2024), Social Security Scotland
109 Social Security Scotland Client Survey 2023 – 2024 (2024), p. 38
110 Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018: Benefit Take-up Strategy October 2021
111 Estimates of Take-Up - Take-up rates of Scottish benefits: October 2022 - gov.scot
112 Introduction - Take-up rates of Scottish benefits: November 2023 - gov.scot
113 Take-Up Rate Estimates - Take-up rates of Scottish benefits: November 2024 - gov.scot
114[114] Forecast Evaluation Report – August 2024, Scottish Fiscal Commission
115 Meeting with The Wise Group, 11 July 2024
116 Social Security Scotland Business Plan 2024-25 (2024), Social Security Scotland
117 Client Survey: Disability Payments (January – Mar 2024), Social Security Scotland
118 Client Survey: Disability Payments (January – Mar 2024), Social Security Scotland
119 People who Access Social Care and Unpaid Carers in Scotland, (2022), Scottish Government
120 Social Security policy position paper – disability benefit applications: how decisions are made (2020), Scottish Government
121 Client Survey: Disability Payments (January – Mar 2024), Social Security Scotland
122 Social Security Scotland Business Plan 2024-25 (2024), Social Security Scotland
124 National Autistic Society (2022), Submission to the Social Security Committee
125 Background briefing provided by Inclusive New Normal (unpublished)
126 The Cost of Waiting: Research exploring the experiences of children and young people with cancer and their families as they navigate the process of claiming disability benefits following their diagnosis. (March 2025), Young Lives vs Cancer
127 The Cost of Waiting: Research exploring the experiences of children and young people with cancer and their families as they navigate the process of claiming disability benefits following their diagnosis. (March 2025), Young Lives vs Cancer
128 Individual response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Consultation
129 Citizens Advice Scotland. (2024) Call for Evidence Response: Response to Call for Evidence for the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space.
130 MS Society Scotland response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
131 Client Survey – Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment January – March 2023
133 Individual response to The Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Public Consultation
134 Adult Disability Payment Statistics to 30 April 2025 (published June 2025), Social Security Scotland
135 Individual Response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Consultation
136 Adult Disability Payment Statistics to 30 April 2025 (published June 2025), Social Security Scotland
137 MS Society Scotland response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
138 MS Society Scotland response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
139 MS Society Scotland response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
140 Social Security Scotland Client Survey 2023/2024 (2024), Social Security Scotland
141 Social Security Scotland Client Survey 2023/2024 (2024), Social Security Scotland
142 Social Security Scotland - Business Plan 2024 - 2025
143 People with communication needs and the Scottish social security system: fulfilling the expectations of ‘Our Charter’ (2025), Scottish Commission on Social Security
144 Client-Representative-Guidelines-Part-7-Third-party-representatives.pdf
146 Social Security Scotland - Client Survey: Disability Payments (October 2024 - March 2025)
148 Disability benefits evaluation: supporting information (2023), Scottish Government
149 Social Security Scotland - Decision Making Guide
150 Adult Disability Payment processing times (2023)
151 See: https://raffbenato.github.io/funcap55/
152 Our Charter, Social Security Scotland
153Adult Disability Payment Statistics to 30 April 2025 (published June 2025), Social Security Scotland
154 Ibid.
155 I note that consultation results cannot be seen as representative and capture the views only of people responding.
157 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
158 Individual, response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Consultation
160 Individual response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Consultation
161 Individual response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Consultation
162 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation
164 Individual response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation
165 Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022, reg. 7(3)
166 Adult Disability Payment Decision-Making Guidance: How to choose a descriptor
167 PIP Assessment Guidance Part 2: The Assessment Guidance, section 2.2
168 Adult Disability Payment Decision-Making Guidance: Reliability Criteria
169 Interim report. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and the welfare state: recommendations for reform (2025), Campbell, M., Matthews, L., Riddell, J. and Harkess-Murphy, E. University of the West of Scotland
170 Social Security Scotland Client Survey 2023/24 (2024), Social Security Scotland
171 Ibid
172 Background briefing provided by Inclusive New Normal (unpublished)
173 Scottish Government Freedom of Information Request FOI/202400433690
174 Client Survey: Disability Payments (October 2024 – March 2025), Social Security Scotland
175 I note that consultation results cannot be seen as representative and capture the views only of people responding
177 Individual response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Consultation
178 Client Survey: Disability Payments (October 2024 – March 2025), Social Security Scotland
179 Client Survey: Disability Payments (October 2024 – March 2025), Social Security Scotland
180 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation Analysis (2024), Section 7
181 Social Security Scotland Client Survey 2023/24 (2024), Social Security Scotland, p. 125
182 Adult Disability Payment Statistics to 30 April 2025 (published June 2025), Social Security Scotland
183 Adult Disability Payment Statistics to 30 April 2025 (published June 2025), Social Security Scotland
184 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment (ADP): Analysis of responses to a public consultation and call for evidence (2024)
185 Citizens Advice Scotland: Adult Disability Payment Briefing (unpublished) Quarter 2, 2024-25
186 Citizens Advice Scotland: Adult Disability Payment Briefing (unpublished) Quarter 4, 2024-25
188 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
189 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
190 Mandatory Reconsiderations, requests and decisions to October 2014, Great Britain, December 2014, Department for Work and Pensions
191 Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum
192 The Cost of Waiting (March 2025), Young Lives vs Cancer
193 Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022, regs. 27(2) and 28(2)
194 Advice on Assessments (December 2018), Disability and Carer Benefits Expert Advisory Group
195 The Cost of Waiting (March 2025), Young Lives vs Cancer
196 Ibid.
197 Ibid.
198 Social Security Experience Panels: award duration and automatic entitlement, Scottish Government (November 2018)
199 The Cost of Waiting (March 2025), Young Lives vs Cancer
200 I note that consultation results cannot be seen as representative and capture the views only of people responding.
201 Individual response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Consultation
202 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Consultation
203 Adult Disability Payment Decision-Making Guidance: Choosing an appropriate review period
204 Adult Disability Payment Decision-Making Guidance: Choosing an appropriate review period
205 Social Security Scotland Annual Report 2023/24
206 Social Security Scotland: Client Survey (2023 – 2024)
207 Ibid.
208 Social Security Scotland Business Plan 2024-2025
209 https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/asset-storage/production/downloads/2023-2024-Client-Survey-Report.pdfSocial Security Scotland: Client Survey (2023 – 2024)
210 People with communication needs and the Scottish social security system: fulfilling the expectations of ‘Our Charter’ (2025), Scottish Commission on Social Security
211 People with communication needs and the Scottish social security system: fulfilling the expectations of ‘Our Charter’ (2025), Scottish Commission on Social Security
212 Individual, response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation
213 People with communication needs and the Scottish social security system: fulfilling the expectations of ‘Our Charter’ (2025), Scottish Commission on Social Security
214 Background briefing provided by Inclusive New Normal (unpublished)
215 People with communication needs and the Scottish social security system: fulfilling the expectations of ‘Our Charter’ (2025), Scottish Commission on Social Security
216 Letter responding to the recommendations on The Social Security Response to COVID-19, Scottish Parliament website (July 2021)
217 Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group: interim report (March 2023)
218 Minimum Income Guarantee: Experts by Experience Panel Report (July 2024)
219 Minimum Income Guarantee: report – a roadmap to dignity for all (2025), Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group
220 Individual, response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation
221 Meeting with Neurological Alliance, 6 August 2024
223 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol (May 2008)
224 Beyond a Safe and Secure Transition – A Long-term Vision for Disability Assistance in Scotland (August 2019), Scottish Campaign on Rights to Social Security
225 Independent Living - A Shared Vision joint statement signed by the Scottish Government, COSLA, and the Independent Living in Scotland (ILiS) Steering Group 2009.
226 See further: Internation Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
227 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024)
228 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Call for Evidence
229 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Call for Evidence
230 Adult Disability Payment: Consultation on the Mobility Component, Response
231 Individual, response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation
232 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024)
233 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024)
234 Meeting with Citizens Advice Scotland Adult Disability Payment Reference Group, 24 March 2025
235 International Comparison of Disability Benefits (2018), Scottish Government
236 Care Act 2014
239 PIP assessment guide part 1: the assessment process, Department for Work and Pensions
240 Working Welfare: a radically new approach to sickness and disability benefits (2016), Re:State (known as ‘Reform’ when their report was published)
241 International Comparison of Disability Benefits (2018), Scottish Government
242 International Comparison of Disability Benefits (2018), Scottish Government
243 International Comparison of Disability Benefits (2018), Scottish Government
244 ‘On my worst day …’ How the NDIS fosters a deficit mindset and why that should change (2023), The Conversation
245 Organisation Response to the Individual Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation
246 Statement by former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, House of Commons, Hansard, 13 December 2012
247 Beyond a Safe and Secure Transition – A Long-term Vision for Disability Assistance in Scotland (August 2019), Scottish Campaign on Rights to Social Security
248 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation
249 Assessing disablement under the IIDB scheme – a critical review and international comparison (2014), Industrial Injuries Advisory Council
250 Adult Disability Payment: Independent Review – Interim Report (November 2024)
251 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024)
253 International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, World Health Organisation
254 Assessment of care needs under the Care Act 2014, Social Care Institute for Excellence
255 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024), Section 9
256 Reduced to breaking point: The impact of the cost of living crisis on people with MS (2022), MS Society
257 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024), p. 47
258 The Impact of Fluctuating Health Conditions on Assessment (October 2024), Department for Work and Pensions
259 Meeting with Covid-related Groups, 12 July 2024
260 Individual response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation
263 Adult Disability Payment Statistics to 30 April 2025 (published June 2025), Social Security Scotland
265 Interim report. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and the welfare state: recommendations for reform (2025), Campbell, M., Matthews, L., Riddell, J. and Harkess-Murphy, E. University of the West of Scotland
266 Ibid.
267 Ibid.
268 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
269 Response to Consultation on the Mobility Component (2024)
270 The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2013 – legislation.gov.uk
271 The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2013 – legislation.gov.uk
272 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024), p. 43
273 Response to Call for Evidence for the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment
274 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024), p. 53
275 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024), p. 46
276 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024).
277 Adult Disability Payment: Independent Review - interim report (November 2024) - gov.scot
278 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024).
279 Individual response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Consultation
280 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024), p. 54
283 A healthier future: Scotland's diet and healthy weight delivery plan (2018), Scottish Government, p. 2
284 Ibid.
285 The Scottish Health Survey 2023 - volume 1: main report - gov.scot
286 Realistic Medicine: Taking Care - Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Annual Report 2023–2024
287 Good Food Nation - Food and drink - gov.scot
288 The Faculty of Eating Disorders at the Royal College of Psychiatrists
290 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Roundtable Discussion
291 Citizens Advice Scotland, Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Roundtable Discussion
292 Citizens Advice Scotland, Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Roundtable Discussion
294 Meeting with Dr. Louise Johnston
295 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024), p. 46
298 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Roundtable Discussion
299 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Roundtable Discussion
300 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024), p. 46
301 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment: Consultation and Call for Evidence Analysis (2024), p. 46
302 Adult Disability Payment: Decision-Making Guidance for Activity 9, accessed: 1 May 2025
303 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v MM [2019] UKSC 34 also reported as [2019] AACR 26.
304 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
305 Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Roundtable Discussion
306 Adult Disability Payment - mobility component: consultation analysis (August 2023) - gov.scot
307 Adult Disability Payment Mobility Component Introduction - Social Security Scotland
308 Adult Disability Payment: Consultation on the Mobility Component (2023)
310 Adult Disability Payment: Consultation on the Mobility Component (2023)
312 Adult Disability Payment: Consultation on the Mobility Component Response
314 MH v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (PIP): [2016] UKUT 531 (AAC) ; [2018] AACR 12 - GOV.UK.
315 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
316 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Call for Evidence
317 Together for the 1 in 6 England: findings from My Neuro Survey (June 2022), The Neurological Alliance
319 Meeting with Inclusive New Normal, Long Covid Scotland and members of Clinically Vulnerable Families, 20 March 2025
320 Response to Consultation on the Mobility Component (2023)
325 Disabled peoples views on the draft Adult Disability Payment Regulations (March 2021), Inclusion Scotland
326 Adult Disability Payment: Consultation on the Mobility Component (2023)
327 Adult Disability Payment: Consultation on the Mobility Component (2023)
330 Citizens Advice Scotland: Response to the Call for Evidence (2024)
331 The Government’s response to the consultation on the PIP assessment Moving around activity (October 2013), Department for Work and Pensions, p. 5
333 Adult Disability Payment: Independent Review - interim report (November 2024) - gov.scot
334 Enhanced PIP Benefits - Disability Claims
335 The Government’s response to the consultation on the PIP assessment Moving around activity (2013)
337 Organisation response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment, Review of the mobility component, published on The ALLIANCE
338 Adult Disability Payment: Consultation on the Mobility Component (2023)
339 Apply for or renew a Blue Badge: Eligibility - mygov.scot
340 Blue Badge Scheme local authority guidance (25 March 2025), Department for Transport
341 Ibid para. 4.48
343 Beyond a Safe and Secure Transition – A Long-term Vision for Disability Assistance in Scotland (August 2019), Scottish Campaign on Rights to Social Security
Contact
Email: adpreview@gov.scot