Seòmar agus comataidhean

The main purpose of short term assistance is to be made available to people when their on-going assistance has been reduced or stopped, and that decision is subject to a re-determination or an appeal. The policy intent is that the individual will have a right to choose, at the point of challenge, whether they want financial assistance to continue.

The Scottish Government is aiming to make this request as simple, quick and easy as possible and is committed to co-designing the process with people with lived experience of the current system to ensure that it meets the needs of users.

The Scottish Government is committed to extending winter fuel payments to families with severely disabled children and we welcome Contact’s recent report, which underlines the importance of implementing our commitment to extend winter fuel payments to families in this situation.

The new Winter Heating Allowance is currently being considered as part of the ongoing social security policy development process. We have committed to not means testing the Allowance. This will include direct engagement with key stakeholders and our experience panels to design the best, most accessible system possible. The introduction of this and other benefits will be announced as soon as is possible.

The rate at which the Winter Heating Allowance will be paid to families with severely disabled children is being considered as part of the ongoing policy development process. This will include direct engagement with key stakeholders and our experience panels, prior to bringing forward draft regulations and, depending on the outcome, draft legislation as it goes through the Parliamentary process. As outlined in written answer to S5W-13158 on 22 December 2017, we have committed to not means testing the allowance. 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

The precise eligibility criteria for the new Winter Heating Allowance is being considered as part of the ongoing policy development process. This will include direct engagement with key stakeholders and our experience panels, prior to bringing forward draft regulations and, depending on the outcome, draft legislation as it goes through the Parliamentary process.

The Scottish Government published detailed analysis in June on the Cost of Living in Scotland. The report looks specifically at the poverty premium: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00520732.docx.

We know that low income households spend a higher proportion of income on essential goods and services. That’s why our Fairer Scotland Action Plan included a specific action on tackling the poverty premium. We held a summit with energy companies last December and wrote to them on 17 February 2017 challenging them to identify further action they could take to help low income consumers get a better deal on their fuel bills. In 2018 we will roll out a Financial Health Check with a particular focus on low income families. This service will advise on establishing eligibility for and claiming financial entitlements; securing the best deal on financial products, services, utilities including energy; and managing money, all of which will support income maximisation.

Disabled children, young people and their families should never expect to experience discrimination, be denied opportunities, or access to support because of irrelevant or perceived differences. This report is primarily based on data from England and Wales with some data on Scotland from the 2011 Census. Scotland can evidence that the five recommendations are already well underway and incorporated into numerous strategies and legislation at a Scotland wide level. Notably, the Scottish Government is also currently developing the “Supporting Disabled Children, Young People and their Families Framework” which is rights based, and on a cross-Directorate basis. We will consider rights and entitlements within that context.

The Framework Document being signed gives effect to the delegations to an agency accountable officer. This process effectively brings the agency into existence. The Framework Document will be signed on the date the first form of assistance begins payment. The Framework Document will be published after this date.

The Scottish Government intends to review its School Transport Guidance Circular, once the Seat Belts on School Transport (Scotland) Bill has received Royal Assent.

There has been no formal approach to the Scottish Government by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner about taking legal action in relation to Universal Credit. However, the Commissioner had an introductory meeting with Maree Todd, Minister for Childcare and Early Years on 6 December where they discussed a range of issues, including Universal Credit.

The Commissioner is independent and, therefore, not subject to direction or control from the Scottish Parliament or the Scottish Government.

To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe and I hosted a discussion with disabled people and their organisations in the Scottish Parliament. Disabled people were able to express their concerns and ask questions about what Brexit may mean for them and their communities. We will have an ongoing discussion with disabled people and their organisations as negotiations progress. In addition, the First Minister wrote an article marking the day for the Sunday Herald.