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.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) anticipate that in the first instance the proposed cap is likely to be delivered by local authorities through housing benefit payments. In the longer term the cap will be administered as part of the new universal credit system.

It is clear that the proposed changes in the welfare regime will place additional pressure on devolved services like health, housing and social care, many of which are delivered by local authorities and it is important that the Scottish Government and COSLA are involved in DWP policy development. To that end, we intend that these will be the subject of regular discussions with the DWP and COSLA and the administration of the benefits cap will be an important consideration.

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.

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.

 

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.

The topics discussed at the meeting between the UK Minister for Disabled People and I on 29 July 2010 were:

Independent Living Fund;

Lack of consultation with regard to policy developments with implications for Scotland;

Welfare Reform;

London 2012 Legacy Plan and Commonwealth Games.

There have been ongoing discussions with COSLA about the Independent Living Fund''s decision to stop new applications since July 2010. Scottish Government officials met with officials from COSLA, ADSW and representatives of the independent living movement on the 14 July 2010 and again with those organisations and the Learning Disability Alliance on the 18 October 2010 to discuss this matter.

I have also made representations to the Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, to highlight the impact that any changes would have on disabled people in Scotland.