Chamber and committees

As we design and develop our policy around cold-spell heating allowance we will give appropriate and proportionate consideration to winter weather conditions and to the recommendations of the Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and the Rural Task Force in ensuring that these new powers operate in the best interests of the people of Scotland.

We responded to the letter from the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group on the tax status of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement on 19 February 2018. In response to the part of the question on the status of the supplement, I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14498 on 27 February 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 Outline Business Case (OBC) for the Agency for Social Security in Scotland was written before options for payment platforms were explored. However, the Department of Work and Pensions’ (DWP) existing expenditure on payments was used to inform estimations of future costs to the Social Security Agency.

The Scottish Government's position statement on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) will be published by 30 April 2018.

Exchanges between Scottish Ministers and the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) are subject to a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) between the Ministers and the DWP on joint working arrangements, covering the implementation of devolved provisions in the Scotland Act 2016 relating to Social Security in Scotland. Information supplied by DWP to SG is held in confidence under the terms of this MOU.

On 25 October 2016 the Scottish Government published on its website a Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish Government and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on joint working arrangements for the implementation of devolved powers. It sets out a framework for co-operation and collaboration, including the development of delivery options. Transaction costs for the Central Payment System were provided to the Scottish Government in confidence under the terms of this MOU.

As we design and develop our policy around cold-spell heating allowance, we will consider the most appropriate, accurate and cost-effective ways in which to ensure that weather forecasting and monitoring can support the targeting of the assistance to those in greatest need.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is a temporary measure until the Scottish Government takes over full control of Carer’s Allowance. Payments of the supplement will be made by the Scottish social security agency. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will continue to pay Carer’s Allowance to carers in Scotland in the same way and at the same time as it is currently paid. This arrangement will be set out in an Agency Agreement and Service Level Agreement with the DWP.

Explanatory notes provided with the Social Security Bill at introduction outline plans for the end of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement as follows: ‘It is envisaged that the supplement will cease to be needed once regulations under section 11 have been made to provide a scheme for carer’s assistance, as that can provide for payments at the increased rate. Section 48 allows the Scottish Ministers to repeal the duty to pay the supplement and revoke any regulations made under it.’ (Paragraph 75)

The current agreement between the Department of Work and Pensions and the Met Office provides for each postcode area to be allocated to one of 94 weather stations, which together cover all parts of Scotland, England and Wales.

We are aware of previous calls for more localised forecasts and additional weather stations to determine Cold Weather Payment thresholds made during the consultation on Social Security in Scotland and will take these into account as we ensure that the new powers operate in Scotland’s best interests.

We are aware of calls for more localised forecasts and additional weather stations to determine Cold Weather Payment thresholds made during the consultation on Social Security in Scotland and will take these into account as we ensure that the new powers operate in Scotland’s best interests.