Chamber and committees

Scottish Government officials have had regular discussions with their DWP counterparts about a range of issues relating to Carer benefits including the recovery of overpayments. Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People wrote to the UK Government Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 9 May 2019 to request that the individual circumstances of those who had incurred overpayments should be taken into account and no-one placed into hardship as a result or prosecuted as a result of a genuine error.

To date, discussions on the development of the income supplement have taken place at various stages at an official level, and these are ongoing as the policy continues to be developed.

Information on the number of staff being used to develop policy on the income supplement and take forward the options appraisal is not available. This differs in teams across the organisation, and is dependent on business requirements and individual working patterns.

I refer the member to the answer to S5W-18780 on 27 September 2019. The Scottish Government does not hold further additional information.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Scottish Parliament's website at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the terms contained within section 10 of the Carer’s Allowance agency agreement which relates to management information.

The relevant section of the agency agreement can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carers-allowance-in-scotland-agency-agreement-and-service-level-agreement/carers-allowance-in-scotland-agency-agreement#management-information .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23033 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23032 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Sufficient financial resource has been allocated through the budget process to fund the Social Security programme’s delivery plans. The original estimate for spend in 2019-20 was based on an initial set of assumptions in summer 2018. These were reviewed through the autumn in the Scottish Government’s budget-setting process, and we will continue to refine the programme’s budgetary requirements for the year in line with the refresh of the Programme Business Case supporting Wave 2. If any changes are required this would be actioned through the Spring Budget Revision.

Social Security Scotland (the Agency) currently provide re-determination rights for all appealable benefits under the Social Security Act 2018. Clients can request this either by phone or completion of the re-determination form provided with first determination letters. There are at least four contact points between the client and the agency during this process.

The process is described on the mygov website: https://www.mygov.scot/if-you-do-not-agree-with-a-benefit-decision/ .