The Scottish Parliament has unanimously approved a Bill designed to limit the impact in Scotland of UK-wide social security reforms, including plans for a new universal credit.

The vote follows a parliamentary committee report expressing ‘grave concerns’ over the reform plans.

The Bill does not in itself make any changes to UK legislation and the Scottish Government has not yet set out any specific proposed amendments. Any changes are being left to regulations to be introduced later in 2012. At that point any possible mitigating steps will be considered – for example, in the treatment of ‘passported’ benefits under the new universal credit system.

Source: Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Government, TSO

Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Policy memorandum | Research briefing | Scottish Parliament debate | BBC report