Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government published detailed analysis in June on the Cost of Living in Scotland. The report looks specifically at the poverty premium: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00520732.docx.

We know that low income households spend a higher proportion of income on essential goods and services. That’s why our Fairer Scotland Action Plan included a specific action on tackling the poverty premium. We held a summit with energy companies last December and wrote to them on 17 February 2017 challenging them to identify further action they could take to help low income consumers get a better deal on their fuel bills. In 2018 we will roll out a Financial Health Check with a particular focus on low income families. This service will advise on establishing eligibility for and claiming financial entitlements; securing the best deal on financial products, services, utilities including energy; and managing money, all of which will support income maximisation.

The Framework Document being signed gives effect to the delegations to an agency accountable officer. This process effectively brings the agency into existence. The Framework Document will be signed on the date the first form of assistance begins payment. The Framework Document will be published after this date.

The Scottish Government intends to review its School Transport Guidance Circular, once the Seat Belts on School Transport (Scotland) Bill has received Royal Assent.

Staff within the new social security agency will be entitled to provide people with one-to-one support. This will be delivered through the pre-claims advice and support service will provide. Additionally staff will help people to understand what further support they may be entitled to, including reserved benefits and wider assistance available from local and/or national services.

Principle (d) - if amended in the manner the Scottish Government intends - will place a legal duty on Scottish Ministers to ensure that people are given what they are entitled to under the Scottish system. It would be inappropriate to extend such a legal duty to also cover other forms of assistance that the Scottish Government has no responsibility for either developing or administering.

However, in line with our commitment to a rights based approach, agency staff will provide one-to-one support, where appropriate, and help people to understand what further support they may be entitled to, including reserved benefits and wider assistance available from other services.

The Scottish Universal Credit choices were made available to new claims in full service areas from 4 October. Eligible people are offered the new choices in the second assessment period, and therefore 16 November was the first date, following their introduction on 4 October, that the offer could be made to residents in Scotland.

As part of the Scottish Government’s Working Level Agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for the delivering of the Scottish Universal Credit choices, the DWP will provide management information on the number of people who have requested twice monthly and direct payment of their housing cost element of their Universal Credit award to their landlord. We expect to receive the first tranche of management information from the DWP by end December 2017.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to providing an alternative payment solution to those with no access to a bank account. Work is currently underway to explore what alternative payment options are available that will meet individuals’ needs.

There has been no formal approach to the Scottish Government by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner about taking legal action in relation to Universal Credit. However, the Commissioner had an introductory meeting with Maree Todd, Minister for Childcare and Early Years on 6 December where they discussed a range of issues, including Universal Credit.

The Commissioner is independent and, therefore, not subject to direction or control from the Scottish Parliament or the Scottish Government.

To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe and I hosted a discussion with disabled people and their organisations in the Scottish Parliament. Disabled people were able to express their concerns and ask questions about what Brexit may mean for them and their communities. We will have an ongoing discussion with disabled people and their organisations as negotiations progress. In addition, the First Minister wrote an article marking the day for the Sunday Herald.

The Scottish Government remains committed to introducing the Job Grant (which comprises of a cash payment and a three month bus pass) for young people aged 16 -24 who have been unemployed for 6 months or more. We are currently exploring the best legislative option for delivery in Scotland and a date for implementation will be announced in due course.