Commentary on Provisions Part 6 – Uprating Assistance for Inflation Section 17: Duty to uprate assistance for inflation
83.The Scottish Ministers are required under the 2018 Act to consider the effects of price inflation on all forms of assistance delivered under Part 2 Chapter 2 and section 79 of the 2018 Act; and to lay a report in the Scottish Parliament, before the end of each financial year, setting out what they have done or intend to do as a result of the changes to prices under section 86A of the 2018 Act. Furthermore, Ministers are required under section 86B to bring forward subordinate legislation before the end of each financial year to uprate all forms of Carer’s Assistance (including Young Carer Grant), Disability Assistance, Employment Injury Assistance, Funeral Support Payment and Scottish Child Payment.
84.Section 17 of the Act extends section 86A of the 2018 Act to include assistance created under the care experience assistance power in section 2 of the Act. It also extends section 86B to include all Scottish social security payments delivered under the 2018 Act. This means that Scottish Ministers are required by statute to uprate all Scottish social security payments annually to reflect the effects of inflation.