Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-17689

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered what action can be taken to increase take-up of pension credit amongst older people who are living on a low-income in Scotland.

Pension Credit is reserved to the UK Government, therefore any take-up campaigns should be UK Government led.

However, in 2023-24 we will allocate at least £11 million to support the provision of free income maximisation, welfare and debt advice. This includes funding for the Money Talk Team Income Maximisation Service delivered by the Citizens Advice Network in Scotland, and the expansion of Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships to place Welfare Rights Advisors in up to 180 GP surgeries in Scotland’s most deprived areas.

Such Scottish Government funded services provide personalised advice on a wide range of support available to people in Scotland – including UK benefits such as Pension Credit, Scottish benefits, local authority payments, and wider support.

Question reference: S6W-17688

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Emma Roddick on 11 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to taking action to reduce the number of older people living in poverty in Scotland.

Tackling poverty and protecting people from harm is one of three critical and interdependent missions for this government. We recognise the pressure on household budgets which is why last year and this, we have allocated almost £3 billion to support policies which tackle poverty and protect people as far as possible during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

As outlined in ‘A Fairer Scotland for Older People: framework for action’ we are taking a range of actions that directly addresses the financial needs of older people.

Question reference: S6O-02247

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 May 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to roll out universal free school meals.

Question reference: S6W-17365

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 10 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to any appeals under the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 considered by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals from January to March 2023, how many were (a) dismissed as "no remit" and (b) decided upon and (i) referred to the 2019 guidance and its requirement to consider spacing, maintenance and intention in arriving at a decision that trees and shrubs in a row did not form a hedge and (ii) excluded deciduous trees from high hedge notices issued by local authorities.

High hedge appeals are delegated to appointed reporters to make decisions on Scottish Ministers behalf.

DPEA received 8 high hedge appeals from January to March 2023, of which 2 were dismissed as "no remit" and 6 were decided upon by independent reporters.

Within these decisions, 2 referred to the 2019 guidance and its requirement to consider spacing, maintenance and intention in arriving at a decision that trees and shrubs in a row did not form a hedge and 2 excluded deciduous trees from high hedge notices issued by local authorities.

Question reference: S6W-17460

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether all of the responses to its consultation on the mobility component of the Adult Disability Payment will be presented to those undertaking the independent review of the Adult Disability Payment later in 2023.

All respondents to the consultation were asked if they consent to their response being published, either anonymously or with their name attached.

Where a respondent has given consent, their response will be published and shared with the independent review.

Where a respondent has not given consent, their response will not be published and their response will not be shared with the independent review.

An independent analysis of the consultation will take full account of all responses. The analysis will be published on gov.scot and passed to the independent review of Adult Disability Payment when it commences.

Question reference: S6W-17426

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to further promote the Scottish Welfare Fund to older people, in light of a higher proportion of older people not being online.

I refer the Member to answers S6W-15324 on 9 March and S6W-16168 on 24 March 2023.

As stated in answer S6W-15324, the Statutory Guidance for the Scottish Welfare Fund sets out the responsibilities for Local Authorities in their administration of the Fund, including promotion and raising awareness across all potentially eligible individuals. This includes providing information on the Fund and making clear guidance available on how to apply for a grant. Local Authorities are also required to ensure that other services which have contact with people in crisis have up to date information about the Fund, including promotional posters and leaflets.

The Statutory Guidance sets out a requirement for Local Authorities to make provision for applications to be made online, on the phone and face-to-face. Local Authorities are expected to actively promote these channels. This is important to meet the varying needs of applicants, including older people who may not be online.

The Independent Review into the Scottish Welfare Fund published on 24 March 2023. As set out in answer S6W-16168, the Scottish Government is working to publish an Action Plan by the end of Spring 2023. The Action Plan will set out next steps for policy improvements to the Fund across a range of areas, including accessibility and promotion.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Question reference: S6W-16607

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken in partnership with public bodies to develop a shared debt management strategy.

Scottish Ministers have consistently encouraged public bodies to share good practice on debt assistance and collection and to show empathy and dignity when working with people struggling with debt.

Specifically in relation to Council tax, whilst this is a local tax and each council is financially and administratively accountable to their electorate, we recognise the desirability of the best practice in council tax collection being adopted by all local authorities. Ministers raised the issue of Council Tax Debt and Recovery, including highlighting the recommendations of the Improvement Service and Stepchange Scotland’s May 2022 report on Collaborative Council Tax Collection, with the COSLA President, Vice President and Resources Spokesperson at a recent meeting of the ‘Joint Working Group on Sourcing of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform’.

Question reference: S6W-16608

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that all public bodies have clear processes to deal with any disputes with service users about whether a debt exists, or the amount of money owed.

Public bodies are autonomous bodies and each one has a clear framework which balances operational autonomy and accountability to the public. Any processes in relation to disputes with service users, including in relation to debt to that body, are between the service user and the body, with established dispute resolution processes in place. There are established rights of review and appeal in relation to Social Security Scotland and Council Tax liabilities.

Question reference: S6W-16856

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to begin liaising with the Department for Work and Pensions to gather data for the Winter Heating Payment for winter 2023-24, in light of the Winter Heating Payment for 2022-23 being paid at the end of winter in March 2023.

Engagement between the Scottish Government and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in relation to the timing of Winter Heating Payment next winter is already underway. That includes discussion on the transfer of client data to Social Security Scotland.

As set out in S6W-15012 on 6 March 2023, DWP were unable to provide the data prior to 31 January 2023 that would have allowed earlier payments in the first year of delivery.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Question reference: S6W-16803

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 4 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to tackle any stigma associated with receiving welfare benefits.

We are committed to challenging stigmatising narratives in everything we do – taking a rights-based approach to social security, and embedding this in all of our communications. By embracing person-centred approaches to service design and delivery, and by collaborating with organisations working directly with people, we aim to tackle stigma and increase the take-up of Scottish benefits.

We continue to carry out user research to better understand and tackle stigma, and to ensure that Scotland’s social security system is designed with input from the people who will use it. Their experiences are central to tackling stigma through the design of the application process, from communication material (including factsheets, posters, flyers, social media and marketing campaigns), web content on mygov.scot, application forms, decision letters as well as operational guidance for staff.

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