A bold new vision for employment injury benefits in Scotland is taking shape as plans emerge to replace the outdated UK Industrial Injuries Scheme with a system designed for the modern workforce.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced the next steps following a consultation that sought input on the future of Employment Injury Assistance (EIA).
Unlike the 75-year-old UK scheme, which was tailored to heavy, state-owned industries, the Scottish approach will not be a like-for-like replacement.
Instead, a stakeholder group comprising experts and organisations experienced in navigating the existing system will help shape a benefit fit for today’s employment landscape.
Ms Somerville highlighted the historical roots of the UK scheme, explaining its origins as a safety net for workers in physically demanding roles.
She criticised successive UK Governments for failing to modernise the system, calling a direct replacement impractical, overly complex, and out of step with Scotland’s workforce needs.
“The Industrial Injuries Scheme was introduced to support workers disabled or affected by long-term health conditions due to their jobs,” Ms Somerville said.
“Minimal reform over decades has left it outdated and unsuitable for the realities of the modern workplace,” she added.
The Scottish Government aims to prioritise reform, with a focus on creating a benefit that better serves people in Scotland.
The consultation revealed strong public and expert support for rethinking the system, aligning it with today’s workforce challenges.
The planned stakeholder group will play a crucial role in tackling the complexities involved in delivering EIA and ensuring it provides meaningful support.
Ms Somerville stressed that the reform would be a step forward in Scotland’s broader mission to create a fairer, more responsive social security system.
By designing a system grounded in expertise and collaboration, Scotland aims to address the gaps left by its UK predecessor.
The reforms promise to offer workers affected by employment-related injuries or conditions a support system that truly meets their needs in the 21st century.
