Chamber and committees

We are already engaged in discussions with the UK Government about its proposed changes to consumer protection functions, including those which impact on the future of Citizens Advice.

It is not envisaged at present that the Scottish Government will have an immediate role in administering the UK Government''s proposed cap on state benefits, however responsibility for administering council tax benefit will transfer to the devolved administrations in 2013-14.

Local authorities are subject to the public sector equality duties. They must have due regard to the need to promote race, disability and gender equality across all of their functions. The Scottish Government is in regular communication on the budget process with COSLA, acting on behalf of all local authorities but it is for local authorities themselves to determine how they respond to the duties, including in relation to budgets.

 

On 16 September 2010 I had a discussion with Maria Miller MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People, where I expressed concerns over the future of the Independent Living Fund. I also set out our preference for the fund to be devolved, as it is effectively an extension of social work care. Details of the Department for Work and Pensions'' (DWP) proposals are still being formulated and it was agreed that Scottish Government officials meet with officials from the DWP to discuss these details as they are drawn up. A initial discussion between officials took place on 28 October 2010.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36474 on 13 October 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

 

In addition to contributing to the Department for Work and Pensions'' housing benefit reform impact study, we are carrying out our own detailed assessment of the impact on Scotland''s housing system and will seek to resist any changes that would have a detrimental impact here. An advisory group involving representation from local authorities, registered social landlords and other interested stakeholders is being set up to help with this assessment.

My officials will continue to liaise with the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, local employability partners and health services to monitor developments from the trial in Aberdeen on changes to incapacity benefit. I am not aware of any independent review of the trial being undertaken by the UK Government.

The Reshaping Care for Older People programme in Scotland is being taken forward jointly by the Scottish Government, COSLA and NHS Scotland through the Ministerial Strategic Group on Health and Community Care (MSG). The MSG is working with key partners, the public, stakeholders and their representatives and staff from the statutory and voluntary sectors, to evolve options for the future planning, provision and funding of services for older people.

The wider issue of how long-term care is funded, specifically in terms of the balance between state and individual contribution, is a reserved matter, and is the focus of the UK Independent Commission on the Funding of Care and Support. We are however working in partnership with the commission to ensure that we achieve an affordable and sustainable funding system for care and support that reflects the interests of Scottish people.

We aim to publish our plans for delivering the Reshaping Care Programme by the end of this year. We want to build an enduring consensus with our partners in COSLA and NHS Scotland that can underpin the programme over the next 20 years.

The UK Independent Commission on Funding Care and Support has been tasked with reporting to UK Ministers by July 2011.

The Reshaping Care for Older People programme is being informed by a wide range of views. An extensive public engagement exercise took place between May and October 2010. During this time we have sought views from frontline local authority and NHS staff, voluntary sector partners, private sector interests and members of the public. All organisations involved in the planning and delivery of care for older people in Scotland were invited to make representations. We will take account of all representations and views received when we publish the outcome of the engagement phase.

The UK Independent Commission on Funding Care and Support has not yet published its approach to consultation. It is anticipated this will be made public in the next month, when it can be viewed at http://carecommission.dh.gov.uk/. We will ensure that the views of Scotland are taken into account.