Fifteen individuals living in European countries have been awarded Scottish disability payments despite not residing in Scotland, according to government records. These payments, which include Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment, and Pension Age Disability Payment, have been issued to claimants living in Spain, Latvia, and Malta, with 10 of the applications made in 2025.
Why are disability payments being sent abroad?
The Scottish Government maintains that these payments are the result of international social security agreements. A government spokesperson stated that the UK is party to various agreements allowing a small number of people to remain eligible for support while living abroad. The devolved Scottish social security system is required to adhere to these same international obligations.
The disclosures have sparked criticism regarding the administration of the welfare budget. Craig Hoy MSP, the Scottish Conservative finance and social security spokesperson, described the situation as a “scandalous” example of welfare system abuse. Critics argue that taxpayer funds should be prioritized for residents within Scotland, particularly as the welfare bill faces significant growth.
The Scottish social security budget was £7.4bn this year and is forecast to hit £9.2bn. By 2031, the Scottish Fiscal Commission projects that one million Scots will be in receipt of a disability payment of some kind.
What are the financial implications for the welfare budget?
The total cost of Scotland’s welfare bill is projected to reach almost £10billion by the end of the decade. This figure exceeds the social security funding provided to Scotland by the UK government, with a funding gap expected to reach £1.2bn in 2030/31.
Observers note that the 15 identified claimants represent only a subset of potential foreign recipients. Concerns have been raised by critics that the actual number of foreign residents receiving benefits could be higher, as verifying the residency of every claimant for programs such as the Carer Support Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement, Young Carer Grant and Child Winter Heating Payment presents significant administrative and financial challenges.
The tension here lies between established international reciprocity agreements and domestic fiscal pressure. As the Scottish welfare bill continues to climb, the administrative burden of verifying residency status against the cost of international compliance will likely become a central point of debate for policymakers attempting to balance legislative duties with calls for tighter oversight.
What happens next?
The Scottish Government is expected to continue honoring its current international social security commitments, as officials have confirmed they are under the same duties as the rest of the UK. However, political pressure to “rein in” the welfare bill is likely to intensify, particularly from the Scottish Conservatives.
Future discussions may focus on whether the current “soft-touch” approach to benefit applications—where critics allege claimants can simply “tick boxes” to qualify—will be subject to stricter verification processes. Should the funding gap continue to widen as predicted, the government may face increased scrutiny regarding how it manages administrative costs versus the distribution of payments to those living outside the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are the 15 claimants currently living in?
The claimants applied for and had an ongoing award while resident in an European Economic Area, Switzerland or Gibraltar, with specific mentions of Spain, Latvia, and Malta.
What types of benefits are being paid to non-residents?
The benefits include Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment, and Pension Age Disability Payment. Other payments, such as the Carer Support Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement, Young Carer Grant and Child Winter Heating Payment, are also noted as areas where the number of foreign claimants may be higher.
Why are these payments being issued to people living abroad?
According to a Scottish Government spokesperson, these payments are issued because the UK Government is party to a number of international agreements relating to social security that allow a small number of people to be eligible for support while abroad, and the devolved social security system is equally covered by these agreements.
How should the government balance international legal obligations with the management of the domestic welfare budget?