Chamber and committees

We have not yet asked the UK government to lay commencement regulations in respect of Cold Spell Heating Assistance or Winter Heating Assistance. The timing of the introduction of these new benefits will depend upon implementation and successful testing of the new social security system’s operations. We are determined to get this right and will expect the UK Government to support this change in due course.

The purpose of the experience panels is to understand the direct personal experience and views of people with experience of the benefits being devolved, including families with disabled children. Experience panels research will inform policy development and how Winter Heating Allowance is delivered. Decisions about eligibility will continue to rest with the Scottish Government.

There are over 350 Experience Panel members with experience of Winter Fuel Payments. Experience Panels are already collecting information that will inform our design and delivery of the new Winter Heating Allowance. Some of these panel members reflected specifically on their experience of Winter Fuel Payments as part of our ‘About Your Benefits and You’ research in 2017.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-19465 on 14 November 2018 and S5W-19503 on 5 November 2018. 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 Scottish Government is aware of the proposal and the representations being made to the UK government on this issue. The case for more localised forecasts and weather stations has also been made to Scottish Ministers. We will continue to listen to views and consider ways to better meet the needs of vulnerable households in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-19465 on 14 November 2018 and S5W-19503 on 5 November 2018. 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 rate of Winter Fuel payments is currently the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13172 on 21 December 2017 and S5W-19465 on 14 November 2018. 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

These were £0.6m for September 2018 and estimated to be £0.7m for October 2018.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-19448 on 6 November 2018. 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 proposals in the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill will contribute to the wider package of measures already in place or underway to increase donation and transplantation under the Donation and Transplantation Plan for Scotland.

The rationale and investment required for the healthcare infrastructure to meet an increase in the supply of organs for transplantation following the proposed change in legislation is set out in the Financial Memorandum http://www.parliament.scot/S5_Bills/Human%20Tissue%20(Authorisation)%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBILL32FMS052018.pdf and the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment to the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill https://beta.gov.scot/publications/human-tissue-authorisation-scotland-bill-business-regulatory-impact-assessment/ .

The Scottish Government will publish national level spend detail on Fair Start Scotland in due course. The first release of statistics, reporting on the first six months of Fair Start Scotland, will be published on 28 November 2018. The Scottish Fiscal Commission will publish their next forecasts of Fair Start Scotland expenditure on 12 December to accompany the Scottish Budget.