CLYDEBANK’S MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government ruling out the private sector being involved in assessments in Scotland’s new social security system.

The government announced the plan as they confirmed more than 2,300 Scots had signed up to be part of “experience panels” to help build and refine a new model for the country.

Gil Paterson MSP said: “It is brilliant that more than 2,300 have applied to be part of the experience panels, which will help shape a new social security agency in Scotland.

“I am glad that every day we are closer to forming a new social security agency based on the motifs: dignity and respect. In time, further benefits will be devolved to Scotland, where they belong.”

Social security minister Jeane Freeman said: “This is a golden opportunity for us to learn from the experiences of those who use the current system and their input will be vital to us for each step of the way.

“I’ve already ruled out private sector involvement in assessments and given assurances that the agency itself will have a local presence with a human face where people can go to get one-to-one support if required – it’s all part of treating people with the dignity and respect they deserve.

“I’ll be writing in the next week or so to everyone who has volunteered to work in partnership with us to personally thank them and set out the important work that the experience panels will take forward.”