The transitional provisions contain language that, without very careful reading, is confusing due to the similarity of some terms – ‘initial application period’, ‘initial payment period’ and ‘first payment period’. They will become unnecessary once the initial payment period has been completed. As a tidying-up exercise, the Scottish Government might include a ‘sunset clause’ so that the provisions are automatically repealed a fixed period after coming into force.

Recommendation 5: The Scottish Government should consider setting a date for the automatic repeal of Regulations relating to the transitional provisions.