The Committee took evidence on the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018 [draft] from Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills at its meeting on 18 September 2018. The Official Report is available on the Committee's website.

The Regulations were laid on 15 June and amend the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2011 to implement changes to the operation of the Scheme as it applies to individual debtors. The Regulations introduce the option for the debtor to exclude from the debt payment programme arrears of rent or mortgage payments in relation to the debtor’s sole or main residence. They also modify the application of the Common Financial Tool to the Scheme, to introduce the option for the debtor to propose to pay a proportion of the their surplus income into the debt payment programme.

The Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2011 provided for a scheme for the repayment of debts in Scotland. They provide for the procedure and forms in respect of a repayment arrangement under the scheme. The scheme is open to both individual debtors and to legal persons and other entities.

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the Regulations at its meeting on 26 June and had no issues to report.

Following evidence the Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills moved motion S5M-13670—

That the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee recommends that the Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to.