Chamber and committees

This question is for Phil Arnold, and it follows on from the questions asked by Pam Duncan-Glancy earlier. On the distribution of the crisis grant, have you learned any lessons that might be helpful to the Scottish Government or to local authorities when considering any future changes to the likes of the welfare fund in providing support for refugees and asylum seekers?

This question is for Alistair Dinnie. How does the Scottish Government’s approach in the new Scots refugee integration strategy differ from the UK’s approach towards asylum seekers and refugees?

I will group the questions that I was going to ask later for the sake of time. I am not sure whether Calum Maciver is here, but if not, I will ask Susan Aitken. The Scottish Government guidance makes it clear that people seeking asylum can and should be entered on to social landlords’ lists if they apply for social housing, even though they are not entitled to the housing until they are granted refugee status. Is there anything more that can be done to encourage people to get on the list early and to widen social landlord awareness of that guidance?

Thanks, convener.

On the legislative consent motion that has been lodged this week, Scotland has established age assessment practices that are carried out by trained social work professionals in line with the getting it right for every child approach. What is your view on the UK Government’s proposals on reforming age assessment processes? I will put that question to others, as we are looking for a UK vision.

Which DLA claimants are being moved first?

Yes.

I will not be the only person who is already getting casework from people with active disability living allowance claims who are confused about whether they should be applying for CDP and are hoping to end their DLA claim as soon as possible. How does the minister plan to communicate to current DLA claimants the potential dangers around stopping a current claim to move to the CDP faster? Do you have any guidance on how long people can expect to wait to be moved across?

I thank the minister for all the detail in that response. What criteria are being used to prioritise moves from DLA to CDP? Is there anything that people can do to speed up the process themselves?

I am hearing from the cabinet secretary about one of the failings of the hybrid social security system. Does that highlight a failure of the devolution settlement overall and, ultimately, the need for more powers in Scotland?