Abbreviations and acronyms
How to write abbreviations and acronyms and which ones you can use.
Abbreviations and acronyms
Do not use abbreviations and acronyms, other than the exceptions below.
Always spell out the names of Social Security Scotland benefits in full.
These well-known acronyms can be used without being defined:
- EU
- GP
- HMRC
- NHS
- SPM
- UK
- file types such as JPG or PDF
These long and frequently used terms should be written in full on the first mention, followed by the acronym in brackets. Use the acronym on subsequent uses:
- Benefit Assessment for Special Rules in Scotland (BASRiS)
- Department for Work & Pensions (DWP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
In exceptional cases where a lengthy term appears multiple times in a piece of content, you can use an acronym after the first mention if this improves readability.