Chamber and committees

As set out in the Data Protection Act 2018, Part 2, Schedule 1, and as confirmed to MSPs in a letter from the Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland on I October 2018, where an elected representative is seeking advice in their official capacity on behalf of one of their constituents they are not required to demonstrate explicit consent of the constituent to do so.

Information on the number of instances of theft that have occurred in hospitals is not held centrally. Where a hospital-based theft is reported to the police, this will be included in the Recorded Crime in Scotland National Statistics. However, the figures provided to the Scottish Government by Police Scotland are a simple count of the number of crimes and offences recorded in each local authority. We do not receive further details on the characteristics or circumstances of individual crimes and offences, such as the location.

Information on the number of instances of antisocial behaviour reported to the Police is not held centrally. The member may wish to write to Police Scotland directly to request this information.

Where a reported incident of antisocial behaviour involves any criminality (for example vandalism), this will be included in the Recorded Crime in Scotland National Statistics. However, the figures provided to the Scottish Government by Police Scotland are a simple count of the number of crimes and offences recorded in each local authority. We do not receive further details on the characteristics or circumstances of individual crimes and offences, such as whether they relate to antisocial behaviour.

Information on the number of instances of theft that have occurred in hospitals is not held centrally. Where a hospital-based theft is reported to the police, this will be included in the Recorded Crime in Scotland National Statistics. However, the figures provided to the Scottish Government by Police Scotland are a simple count of the number of crimes and offences recorded in each local authority. We do not receive further details on the characteristics or circumstances of individual crimes and offences, such as the location.

Performance in 2017-18 at Borders General Hospital was 92.9% (Apr 17 – Mar 18). The latest monthly data for November 2018 show performance was 96.5%. The number of patients spending over four hours in A&E was the lowest level since 2015.

The latest published weekly stats show performance for week ending 20 January was 94.5%. Weekly data shows performance throughout December and January has been significantly higher than the previous year. A programme of activities is underway across Scotland through the unscheduled care improvement programme to ensure sustainable performance is maintained.

The Scottish Government continues to work with the local team in NHS Borders to help implement a number of initiatives for unscheduled care and ensuring best practice is installed throughout the hospital system. In 2018-19 NHS Borders has received £324,039 to support improvements and winter planning.

Information on the number of instances of antisocial behaviour reported to the Police is not held centrally. The member may wish to write to Police Scotland directly to request this information.

Where a reported incident of antisocial behaviour involves any criminality (for example vandalism), this will be included in the Recorded Crime in Scotland National Statistics. However, the figures provided to the Scottish Government by Police Scotland are a simple count of the number of crimes and offences recorded in each local authority. We do not receive further details on the characteristics or circumstances of individual crimes and offences, such as whether they relate to antisocial behaviour.

The number of staff employed by Social Security Scotland, and respective pay grades, as of 25 January 2019 are shown in the following table.

The answer to question S5W-20587 explained that the 2019-20 allocations were indicative and were to be confirmed through the Agency's planning process subject to the budget being agreed in March 2019. The current indicative budget allocation for 2019-20 of £4.2 million for “facilities and property” is to cover the Agency’s overall estates requirement and includes rent for our interim Dundee Headquarters and Glasgow office. This figure was estimated as part of our longer term planning. The final allocations of the Social Security Scotland budget including for this category are expected to be decided in March 2019 as part of the Agency’s business planning cycle.

The answer to question S5W-20587 explained that the 2019-20 allocations were indicative and were to be confirmed through the Agency's planning process subject to the budget being agreed in March 2019. Detailed cost discussions with DWP are on-going, current indicative allocations are as follows –

Carer’s Allowance £5.76m

Carer’s Allowance Supplement £0.14m

CPS (DWP’s payment system) Phase 1 £0.09m

BSG £0.02m

* figures may not sum due to rounding

Official statistics, covering the first months of applications for the Best Start Grant, will be published in April 2019. More detailed analysis will be published in a quarterly publication series starting from August 2019. In line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, care will be taken to ensure that these publications are produced to a level of quality that meets users’ needs. Published data will be subject to disclosure control methods to protect the confidentiality of the data. There will be scope to analyse applications by a range of geographical breakdowns, if we are satisfied with the quality of the data and can safeguard the confidentiality of individuals.