Question reference: S6W-04890
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 8 December 2021
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Current status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 22 December 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it will spend in the current financial year (a) on welfare, (b) on telecoms and (c) in total in order to mitigate any impact of decisions taken by the UK Government.
Answer
Estimated spend on the specified areas is detailed in the following table (this doesn't include the circa £3.5 billion of Social Security benefits which while devolved supports and supplements UK welfare benefits):-
Portfolio | Level 4 | 2021-22 Budget Amount (£m) | Associated Reserve Power | Assumption for inclusion |
Safer Communities | Scottish Veterans Fund and the administration of the fund by Veterans Scotland, Capacity Building Grant for Veterans Scotland and supports Ministerial input to Commemorations. | 0.5 | Defence | Provides support for those in armed forces which links to defence |
CEAC | International Development Fund | 10.0 | Foreign policy | Supports development programmes delivered by a range of organisations in Scotland. In line with Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, and underpinning agreement from the UK Government giving Scottish Ministers the necessary powers to undertake International Development work. |
CEAC | Humanitarian Aid | 1.0 | Foreign policy | Budget for Humanitarian Emergency Fund. In line with Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998. |
F&E | Capital costs relating to improving digital connectivity infrastructure across Scotland. | 98.2 | Telecomms | Telecoms is a reserved policy area. |
F&E | Resource costs relating to improving digital connectivity infrastructure across Scotland. | 4.1 | Telecomms | Telecoms is a reserved policy area. |
Justice | Support for the armed forces and veterans community in Scotland. | 1.5 | Defence | Provides support for those in armed forces which links to defence |
F&E | Employability - Fair Start Scotland | 34.1 | Employment | Funds employment support services for those most in need of support. Job search and support is reserved (except education, vocational and careers services) |
F&E | Employability & workforce skills | 22.0 | Employment | Funds a range of employability services included for disadvantaged, disabled, care-experienced. Job search and support is reserved. |
SJH&LG | Equalities | 30.5 | Equal opportunities | Promoting Equality and Human Rights which links to Equal opportunities |
F&E | Consumer Scotland Policy and Advice | 4.6 | Consumer Protection | The consumer policy and advice budget is to allow the delivery of advice to citizens across Scotland by the Citizens Advice Network on consumer matters and to ensure consumer interests are represented to government, regulators and decision-makers. It will also support the establishment of a new public body Consumer Scotland to represent consumer interests. |
F&E | Accountant in Bankruptcy | 2.5 | Insolvency | Linked to insolvency which is reserved. The budget continues to allow Accountant in Bankruptcy to ensure access to fair and just processes of debt relief and debt management for the people of Scotland, which takes account of the rights and interests of those involved. |
F&E | Business Economic Network Support | 2.0 | Business Associations | This could be linked to business associations spend which is reserved. This budget covers the costs (principally in relation to accommodation, catering, travel and subsistence) involved in the biannual meetings of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, a range of minor costs associated with sponsorship of SE and HIE. |
F&E | Innovation and Industries (Aerospace Research & Development) | 1.0 | Outer Space | New capital funding to support Aerospace Research & Development, therefore could be linked to outer space which is reserved. |
F&E | International Trade and Investment | 18.0 | International Relations | Link to international relations which is reserved. The Budget reflects Scottish Government’s increased ambition for internationalisation of the economy and will support delivery of the actions outlined in our three international economy plans for Inward Investment, Trade and Capital - all underpinned by our soon to be published values led Trade Vision. |
F&E | Enterprise Zones | 39.0 | Industrial Development | NMIS and AMCF support manufacturing section which could be linked to industrial development. |
F&E | Low Carbon Economy (Green Jobs Fund) | 4.9 | Employment | Links to 3 reserved areas. This budget line has a focus on supporting our low carbon economy ambitions. Includes Green Jobs Fund (Supply Chain Development) ), Low Carbon Manufacturing Fund (£26m over 5 years) and Clyde Mission Low Carbon Heating (£25m over 5 years). Link to employment, Industrial development and energy. |
NZ,E&T | Sustainable Action Fund (Climate Justice Fund) | 1.7 | International Relations | Climate Justice Fund purpose is to help fight global climate change therefore is linked to international relations which is reserved (note there is a separate FOI request about this fund specifically, following FM's announcement to treble the funding - 202100252499) |
NZ,E&T | Sustainable Action Fund (Climate Challenge Programme Malawi) | 0.8 | International Relations | Link to international relations which is reserved |
NZ,E&T | Climate Change Policy (International) | 1.5 | International Relations | Link to international relations which is reserved |
NZ,E&T | Energy Efficiency and Industries | 108.5 | Energy | Energy is reserved. |
NZ,E&T | Renewable and Community Energy | 38.8 | Energy | Energy is reserved. |
NZ,E&T | Low Carbon Economy | 50.9 | Energy | Energy is reserved. |
NZ,E&T | Energy Consents, Strategy and Operations | 2.4 | Energy | Energy is reserved. |
SJ,H&LG | Discretionary Housing Payments | 83.1 | Social Security (non-devolved social security schemes) | Funding for Discretionary Housing Payments to fully mitigate losses as a result of the "bedroom tax". Of the total, £71m is anticipated to be spent on bedroom tax mitigation. Also allows Local Authorities to provide support to qualifying individuals in housing crisis, including support for those affected by Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates and benefit cap. These benefits are reserved. |
SJ,H&LG | Promoting Equality and Human Rights | 32.3 | Equal Opportunities | Equal opportunities is reserved. This budget supports the equality and human rights infrastructure across Scotland. Investing in the capacity of equality organisations; Strategic Interventions to support key equality outcomes; and specific funds to support frontline activity to address violence against women and to support activities to promote equality and human rights. |
TOTAL | 593.9 |