20/02/2026
📢 Yesterday, the Scottish Government published its response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
We welcome the positives. The Government has accepted recommendations to improve processes, systems, and staff training, with a clear focus on client experience. Commitments to better decision-making guidance, greater choice over face-to-face assessments, and improved staff training has the potential to make a real difference for disabled people applying for ADP.
But this response does not go far enough.
As Chair of the Review, Edel Harris, noted, while some improvements to processes, systems and training have been accepted, recommendations that challenge current policies have yet to receive a definite commitment.
This is deeply disappointing to us.
Throughout the Review, people with MS – and disabled people more generally – were clear: if social security is an investment in people, then the eligibility criteria must support that claim.
Keith Park, Senior Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager, said: “While we welcome the Government’s commitments to improve processes, we’re really disappointed that they’ve chosen not to consider concrete proposals for changing eligibility criteria. By improving Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Scotland can set an example for the rest of the UK in delivering meaningful and accessible benefits for those living with MS and other disabilities.
“Improving processes alone is not enough. It cannot replace action on eligibility criteria.”
We will continue our long-running campaign to secure a social security system in Scotland that works for people affected by MS.
As the 2026 Scottish Parliament election nears, we’ll keep engaging with MSPs, candidates and political parties, calling on them to support our asks. We want them to commit to building a fairer future for people with MS, and we will push to make sure they speak up for people with MS.
You can read our manifesto for the 2026 election on our website: https://buff.ly/uoGbj9j
