Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government will consider the appropriate balance between guidance and regulations in setting out the rules relating to entitlement, definitions of terms and processes.

The Scottish Government will continue to review relevant reserved disability benefit regulations, guidance and case law in formulating Disability Assistance. This will continue to involve relevant officials and, where appropriate, external stakeholders.

The Scottish Government receives management information from the DWP under the terms of the Agency Agreement. The relevant section of the agency agreement can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carers-allowance-in-scotland-agency-agreement-and-service-level-agreement/carers-allowance-in-scotland-agency-agreement#management-information

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23033 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Section 36 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 provides that Short-term Assistance will be available once a request for a‎ re-determination or an appeal is made. This is considered to be when the individual has submitted the re-determination or appeal form.

We are currently consulting on our proposals for STA, as part of the consultation on Disability Assistance, to inform the detailed design and operation of how it will operate.

During 2018-19 Social Security Scotland ensured the delivery of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and the Pregnancy and Baby Payment element of the Best Start Grant. Social Security Scotland was also working towards delivery of future benefits.

Social Security Scotland does not separate expenditure by benefit as many of the resources employed in delivery of benefits are shared and indivisible.

The spring revision to the Scottish Budget 2018-19 set Social Security Scotland’s running cost budget for the first seven months of operation at £16 million. The Agency’s 2018-19 outturn against budget will be confirmed through Social Security Scotland’s first Annual Report and Accounts, which will be subject to audit by Audit Scotland and are expected to be laid before Parliament in September 2019.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The Scottish Government will review relevant reserved disability benefit regulations, guidance and case law in formulating Disability Assistance regulations and guidance.