Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018

18 Reviewing the charter

(1) The Scottish Ministers must review the charter—

(a) within 5 years of its being made, and

(b) thereafter, within 5 years of the report of the last review being laid before the Parliament in accordance with subsection (4)(b).

(2) In carrying out a review, the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a) the Scottish Commission on Social Security, and

(b) any other persons they consider appropriate.

(3) The persons consulted must include—

(a) individuals who have received assistance through the Scottish social security system, and

(b) persons who work with or represent individuals living in households whose income is adversely affected, or whose expenditure is increased, because a member of the household has one or more protected characteristics within the meaning of section 4 of the Equality Act 2010.

(4) Following a review, the Scottish Ministers must—

(a) decide whether or not to make any changes to the charter, and

(b) lay before the Scottish Parliament a report setting out—

(i) the consultation undertaken in carrying out the review,

(ii) the reasons for their decision to make changes, or not make changes, to the charter, and

(iii) if the Ministers have decided to make changes to the charter, a draft of the charter showing the changes they intend to make.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may not make changes to the charter unless a draft of the charter showing the changes they intend to make has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Scottish Parliament.