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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S5W-20760

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question (a) S5W-20346 and (b) S5W-20333, which received a holding response on 17 December 2018.

Question reference: S5W-20704

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what information the DWP has requested regarding the role of the working groups developing the Chief Medical Officer's guidance for registered medical practitioners to make clinical judgements on terminal illness in relation to disability assistance, and what information it has provided to the DWP regarding this.

Question reference: S5W-20616

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether the working assumption of its Social Security Directorate is for disability benefit rules and structures to remain broadly the same as those stipulated under disability living allowance, attendance allowance and personal independence payment.

The Scottish Government remains committed to creating a system of disability assistance that works for the people of Scotland. We have previously outlined a number of ways by which we will achieve this, including: an accessible and transparent application process; responsibility for sourcing supporting information sitting with Social Security Scotland, rather than the individual; significantly reducing the volume of face to face assessments; delivering an assessment service that offers individuals choice and control. Further development of disability assistance will be taken forward in consultation including Experience Panel feedback. It will ensure the safe and secure transition of payments and do so in a manner consistent with our ethos of treating people with fairness, dignity and respect.

Question reference: S5W-20546

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) starting gate and (b) gateway reviews have taken place in its social security directorate.

Question reference: S5W-20614

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20108 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 December 2018, when the Social Security Programme Board is expected to give a formal view on the Go/No Go for (a) disability assistance, (b) carer's assistance, (c) employment injuries assistance, (d) cold-spell heating assistance, (e) winter heating assistance and (f) the income supplement.

Question reference: S5W-20261

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) its Social Security directorate and (b) Social Security Scotland (i) paid to the DWP (A) in 2017-18 and (B) since April 2018 and (ii) expects to pay to the DWP in (aa) 2018-19 and (bb) 2019-20, broken down by cost type.

The following tables reflect actual and forecast payments to DWP:

Payments for Implementation costs (actual and indicative) to DWP from Social Security Directorate

	Payment
17-18 (actual)	£3.5 million (inc VAT)
18-19 (actual to date covers period April – June)	£1.3 million (inc VAT)
18-19 (forecast July – March)	£7.4 million (inc VAT)
19-20	Forecast figures currently being negotiated with DWP

Implementation costs are the demonstrable and jointly agreed net costs to DWP wholly and necessarily incurred by as a result of the devolution of powers.

Payments for Running costs (actual and indicative) to DWP from Social Security Scotland

	Payment
18-19 (to date)	£0
18-19 (indicative)	£4.2 million (inc VAT)
19-20 (indicative)	£7.3 million (inc VAT)

Running costs are the demonstrable and jointly agreed net costs to DWP for the provision of services to Scottish Government.

In addition to the above, the Social Security Directorate paid £38,467 for delivery of Universal Credit Scottish Choices from October 2017 to May 2018. Work is currently ongoing with DWP to refine forecast delivery costs.

Implementation costs for 2019-20 are currently being negotiated with DWP.

Question reference: S5W-20406

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) retention, (b) turnover and (c) vacancy rate has been of Social Security Scotland staff.

The turnover and retention rates for Social Security Scotland in the period 1 September to 30 November 2018 are shown in the following table.

	Turnover (Leaver rate)	Retention rate
1 September – 30 November	1%	99%

Whilst there is no commonly accepted definition of how vacancy rate should be calculated, Social Security Scotland currently has 27 unfilled posts. These are new posts and represent 10.22% of the overall headcount.

No vacancy within the agency has remained unfilled for longer than 3 months.

Question reference: S5W-20469

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the effectiveness of the Scottish Welfare Fund, and whether this review will consider the fund's (a) social return on investment and (b) financial sustainability.

The Scottish Government continually assesses the effectiveness of the SWF through management information of applications, awards and expenditure. We work closely with local authorities, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and third sector organisations, as well as seeking views of users of the SWF through experience panels and social media platforms. In this way we can ensure that the most vulnerable people in our society receive help when they need it. The Scottish Government has continued to maintain funding for the SWF at £38 million per year.

There are no plans for a separate review at this stage.

Question reference: S5W-20404

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland is currently a delivery partner for Social Security Scotland, and, if so, what the basis (a) is and (b) will be of that partner relationship.

We have no specific definition of a delivery partner, however, we will be engaging with Police Scotland through the local community planning partnerships and will work with them and all other relevant public and third sector organisations to ensure awareness of Social Security Scotland’s services. Additionally, in Social Security Scotland’s commitment to the safety of clients, the public and staff, which is reflected in our public protection policies, we will engage with Police Scotland where it is deemed appropriate.

Question reference: S5W-20470

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have used television advertising to encourage applications to the Scottish Welfare Fund.