The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows -
The Social Security Assistance (Investigation of Offences) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft] was laid before the Parliament on 26 November 2019 and referred to the Social Security Committee.
The Instrument is subject to the affirmative procedure (Rule 10.6) and it is for the Social Security Committee to recommend to Parliament whether the Instrument should be approved.
The purpose of the Social Security Assistance (Investigation of Offences) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft] is to enable Social Security Scotland to undertake investigations into suspected benefit fraud.
The Regulations enable information to be required (both in physical and electronic form) and give the power to enter and search premises. They also create offences of delaying or obstructing an investigation.
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the Regulations at its meeting on 10 December 2019 and did not raise any issues.
Following the evidence session, Shirley-Anne Somerville moved motion S5M-20206
That the Social Security Committee recommends that the Social Security Assistance (Investigation of Offences) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.
After debate, the motion was agreed to by division: For 8 (Bob Doris, Pauline McNeill, Alasdair Allan, Jeremy Balfour, Michelle Ballantyne, Keith Brown, Mark Griffin, Shona Robison), Abstentions 1 (Alison Johnstone).
The evidence taken and debated can be found in the Official Report for 19 December 2019.
The Social Security Committee recommends to the Parliament that the Social Security Assistance (Investigation of Offences) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.