Social Security Scotland secures Dundee Headquarters

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, Shirley Anne Somerville, announced today that Social Security Scotland has taken a 20-year lease to become the first tenants at Dundee’s waterfront regeneration project. The site will be one of three locations that Social Security Scotland will operate from as it continues to grow its presence in the city of Dundee.

With space to potentially employ up to 900 people in the city, it is estimated that the public body’s presence in Dundee alone has the potential to contribute up to £100m to the wider Scottish economy when supply chain and spending of wages effects are taken into account.

Social Security Scotland also has a major site in Glasgow city centre and a local presence in every local authority across Scotland.

Commenting on Social Security Scotland’s growing presence in Dundee, Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“I’m pleased to confirm that we have secured premises for our permanent head office in Dundee for our growing new public service. This will create new jobs and boost the local economy, as well as provide a social security system that is accessible and meets the needs of those who use it.

“Social Security Scotland has been operating in the city since the summer of 2018. Securing this space further establishes our presence and investment in Dundee, demonstrating our commitment to the city’s ongoing regeneration.

“I look forward to seeing staff and clients making use of this great new space when it’s ready and Covid-19 guidelines say it’s safe to do so.”

David Wallace, Chief Executive, Social Security Scotland said:

“I’m excited that we have secured this site for our Dundee headquarters – a building with this capacity, accessibility and close proximity to transport links is rare.

“This building gives us three sites in the city. Each building is in a central location served by a range of transport options, and great care has been taken to ensure our accommodation is accessible for people with varying abilities. Each Social Security Scotland facility will offer a space where staff and clients feel welcome.

“This is the next big step in establishing Social Security Scotland as a major employer in the city. We’re looking forward to moving in and offering jobs and contracts that will help boost the local economy and further regeneration of this great city.”

Work is due to commence on the internal fit-out of the building with staff moving into the office when work is complete – providing COVID-19 guidelines advise it is safe to do so.

Background

• The First Minister announced that Social Security Scotland will be headquartered in Dundee with a major site in Glasgow in September 2017.
• Social Security Scotland has also signed a five-year lease at 220, High Street, Glasgow.
• Each site will not be able to run at full capacity while adhering to distancing measures.
• Site 6 will be named by Social Security Scotland’s Experience Panel members and staff – suggestions will be taken and considered.
• Site 6 offers Social Security Scotland a blank canvas to create an environment that works best for their staff and visitors. The building will feature a welcoming reception area, vibrant public access space and easily accessible meeting rooms together with cycle spaces and associated changing/showering facilities.
• Social Security Scotland was set up by the Scottish Government to deliver a number of benefits. Once all of these benefits have been introduced, we will be delivering benefits for families on low incomes, people who need help paying for a funeral, disabled people, carers, young people entering the workplace and to help people heat their homes. We are currently delivering eight benefits. By the end of this year, we will be delivering ten benefits. Once fully operational, we will deliver 16 benefits.
• The safety of our staff is paramount, all but a handful of our people are currently working from home due to coronavirus restrictions.
• As of March 2020, Social Security Scotland had more than 260 employees in two office locations in Dundee – with the majority co-located with Dundee City Council in their Dundee House building.
• At 65 000 sq. feet, it is the largest building and single letting to a single occupier in Dundee in a decade and was developed speculatively by DCC as part of their Waterfront Regeneration scheme.

• When identifying premises, demonstrating their ability to support wider environmental targets has been a highly important consideration for Social Security Scotland. Site 6 has been designed to achieve upper quartile environmental performance with the highest possible energy efficiency grading and uses responsibly sourced materials.