Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
Written 17 posts
Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People
Reforming gender recognition in Scotland
20th June 2019
Today, I announced that I will publish a draft Gender Recognition (Scotland) Bill, which would reform the current process of obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate. I also made clear that this draft bill will be subject to a full consultation and will be accompanied by an equality impact assessment. I will introduce the legislation only…
Investing in young children and their future
4th June 2019
School Age Payment Launched It is projected that by 2030, one in three children could be living in poverty in Scotland as a result of UK Government welfare cuts. This is not acceptable in the 21st century. The cruel cuts that are being enforced through Universal Credit and wider UK government welfare changes will reduce…
Transgender rights and equality
18th April 2019
The debate about the rights of transgender people is becoming very polarised. As Cabinet Secretary for Equalities, I have a duty to try to change that and to encourage respectful debate. Setting out my own views and feelings on the matter – while trying to better understand those of others – is a first step….
Putting people first in Scotland’s social security system
22nd February 2019
Recent press stories about the DWP using deflection scripts to get callers off the phone was disappointing but not surprising. We know from our own research that almost three in five people rated their experience of the current DWP system as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. Since taking on this post, and speaking to users of…
Working together to create a truly local social security service
18th October 2018
The important principle of our social security system being based on dignity and respect is enshrined in legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament earlier this year. It’s vital our new public service demonstrates this in all it does. Which is why, from the start, we have built our system with people that have lived experience…
Why we created Experience Panels
31st August 2018
Over 2,400 volunteers have signed up to help build a system that works for people.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People – Shirley-Anne Somerville
27th July 2018
I was recently given the huge privilege of being appointed to Cabinet, to serve as the Scottish Government’s first Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People. I am proud to be building on the work of my predecessor Jeane Freeman, moving from the passage of the historic Social Security (Scotland) Act on to the…