Scottish Government Response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Final Report

Background

1. In February 2024, the Scottish Government commissioned an independent review of Adult Disability Payment (ADP). After a competitive recruitment, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice appointed Edel Harris OBE as Chair. The review concluded with the publication of its final Report in July 2025.

2. The review examined clients’ experiences during the first year of ADP delivery, alongside eligibility criteria. To support this work, the Chair convened an advisory group and gathered extensive evidence. This included a public consultation, engagement with over 70 stakeholder organisations, and analysis of public-facing information, client communications, and staff decision-making guidance. The outcome was a comprehensive Report containing 58 recommendations for change.

3. The recommendations were structured under four themes aligned with the Social Security Charter: A People’s Service, Processes That Work, A Learning System, and A Better Future. These emphasise placing disabled people at the centre of support, improving operational delivery and client experience, embedding continuous improvement, and strengthening the overall ADP framework.

4. To place the Scottish Government’s response in context, this Report outlines the challenging fiscal environment and the implications for decision-making. It also highlights the complexity of introducing changes within a social security system not yet fully devolved. The response addresses each recommendation theme by theme, identifying those to be implemented within three months and ahead of the May election, those requiring longer-term delivery or further consideration, and those not being taken forward. There has been full engagement from Social Security Scotland in responding to the Independent Review, with a firm commitment to supporting implementation at each step.