Question reference: S5W-19771
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 5 November 2018
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 November 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced new rules for MSPs representing their constituents in Universal Credit cases, and what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding this.
Answer
We are aware that the lack of implicit consent in Universal Credit (UC) makes it difficult for MSP’s and advice services to fully support those who are struggling with UC. This is yet another example of UC not working for the people who claim it.
We have raised our concerns with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) recently recommended that DWP extend implicit consent to Universal Credit cases. We were disappointed that instead of accepting this recommendation, the DWP has said it will explore options in collaboration with the SSAC and will publish a report with the findings.