That the Parliament welcomes the positive impact that existing automation of Scottish social security payments is having, including ensuring that most eligible people receive the Child Winter Heating Assistance and Carer’s Allowance Supplement without needing to apply; further welcomes the proposal to automate the Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and Best Start Grant School Age Payment for eligible families in receipt of Scottish Child Payment by the end of November 2022; notes the Scottish Government’s intention to continue exploring opportunities for further automation; believes that these changes will mean that more people get the benefits that they are entitled to, which is especially important at a time of increasing economic uncertainty; recognises the progress made in promoting Scottish benefit take-up since the publication of the second benefit take-up strategy in 2021, including the launch of an independent advocacy service and funding welfare rights advisors in up to 180 GP practices in Scotland’s most deprived areas, as well as remote and rural areas; acknowledges that there is still work to do regarding both automation and take-up, and agrees, therefore, that all governments should ensure that people are aware of, and enabled to access, the financial support that they are eligible for and entitled to.
Supported by: Shona Robison
Result 65 for, 46 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote Agreed
Scottish National Party
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Labour
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
No Party Affiliation
Submitted by: Jeremy Balfour, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date lodged: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Supported by: Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Sue Webber
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 3, 2022
Result 28 for, 83 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote Disagreed
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date lodged: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 3, 2022
Result 48 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 19 did not vote Disagreed