Welfare policy in Scotland

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 14 Oct 2020 Closed: 17 Feb 2022 Parliament page
The inquiry will examine the effect of welfare policies on the lives of claimants and poverty and inequality levels more broadly in Scotland. It will: assess the effectiveness of Scottish Choices which provide a unique degree of flexibility for those on Universal Credit in Scotland explore the consequences of Universal … Read more
37 Recommendations
111 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
5 Letters
9 Events
Activity timeline 16 events
7 Feb
2022
Correspondence
19 Nov
2021
Report published
23 Jun
2021
Report published
17 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
13 May
2021
Correspondence
13 May
2021
Correspondence
21 Apr
2021
Formal meeting (private meeting) · Virtual meeting
25 Mar
2021
Correspondence
25 Mar
2021
Correspondence
18 Mar
2021
Oral evidence
11 Mar
2021
Oral evidence
11 Feb
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
17 Jun 2021
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Bless Kuri · Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Claire Mack · Scottish Renewables Lucy Whitford · RES Matthieu Hue · EDF Renewables Steven McMahon · Ofgem
18 Mar 2021
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Andrew Latto · Department for Work & Pensions Justin Tomlinson · Department for Work & Pensions Margarita Morrison · Department for Work & Pensions Will Quince · Department for Work & Pensions
11 Mar 2021
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Callum Smith · Scottish Government Catherine Reeves · Scottish Government Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP · Scottish Government
11 Feb 2021
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Councillor Richard Bell · Glasgow City Council Polly Jones · The Trussell Trust Suzanne Lavelle · Southside Housing Association
21 Jan 2021
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Kirsty McKechnie · Child Poverty Action Group Scotland Marion Davis · One Parent Families Scotland Nina Ballantyne · Citizens Advice Scotland
16 Dec 2020
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Chris Birt · Joseph Rowntree Foundation David Eiser · Fraser of Allander Institute Neil Cowan · The Poverty Alliance Professor Gráinne McKeever · Ulster University Professor John McKendrick · Glasgow Caledonian University Professor Paul Spicker · Robert Gordon University
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - Welfare policy in Scotland HC 55 23 Jun 2021 148 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
27 results
Clear
4 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The delays to the rollout of the devolved benefits until 2025 are highly regrettable.
The delays to the rollout of the devolved benefits until 2025 are highly regrettable. Although this delay can be blamed in part on covid-19, the largest delays were announced in 2019—a delay from 2021 to 2024. The Committee regrets that … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details DWP's existing mechanisms for data sharing with the Scottish Government, including a dedicated board and regular forums, and states that the Scottish Government should build its own datasets. However, it does not directly address the committee's regret regarding delays to devolved benefit rollout or general collaborative working to resolve them.
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15 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
We pay tribute to the DWP employees during this very difficult time in managing and...
We pay tribute to the DWP employees during this very difficult time in managing and handling the huge increase of people accessing welfare because of the covid-19 pandemic. The digital by default system has withstood the pressure placed on it … Read more
Government Response
The government's response is an introductory paragraph, acknowledging positive observations in the report and the efforts of DWP employees, but does not specifically address the recommendation to offer other support options.
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25 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The Scottish Government and the DWP should work together and seek agreement before announcing further...
The Scottish Government and the DWP should work together and seek agreement before announcing further Scottish Choices options to ensure there is no delay in roll out. We therefore recommend the following: a) That Scottish Choices be made available to … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the Scottish Government's policy is to offer Scottish Choices from the second assessment period to allow for Alternative Payment Arrangements, effectively rejecting the recommendation to make them available from the start and not addressing the other recommendations on advertising and collaboration.
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30 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The Scottish Government has claimed that delays were due to covid-19, however there were already...
The Scottish Government has claimed that delays were due to covid-19, however there were already significant delays before the pandemic. Indeed, in 2019, in a statement to the Scottish Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary delayed the programme from being fully operational … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on the DWP's work during the pandemic and its agency agreements, rather than addressing the committee's observation regarding Scottish Government programme delays.
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35 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
We heard that improvement in data sharing between the Scottish Government and DWP was needed.
We heard that improvement in data sharing between the Scottish Government and DWP was needed. Policy in Practice, a policy analysis company, highlighted in their evidence to us that Universal Credit data (caseload management data, including client details) is not … Read more
Government Response
The government's response was a general introductory statement for the report, acknowledging mutual respect and devolution efforts, and praising DWP's pandemic response, but it did not specifically address the need for improved data sharing.
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37 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
Oral evidence we received from the Scottish Government highlighted an unequal relationship between it and...
Oral evidence we received from the Scottish Government highlighted an unequal relationship between it and the DWP in relation to sharing existing data. The Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People highlighted that it must make individual … Read more
Government Response
The DWP outlines its process for handling data sharing requests, including its role as the Data Controller, which implicitly confirms the power dynamic described in the conclusion without addressing the committee's observation about an unequal relationship.
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38 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted her disapproval of the current processes used for data sharing...
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted her disapproval of the current processes used for data sharing between the governments. She described the current system of looking at data sharing opportunities on a benefit-by-benefit basis as a ‘work-in-progress’98 which may need to … Read more
Government Response
The DWP states it fully considers all data sharing requests, has a dedicated Data Sharing Board and forum, and shared its Data Sharing Policy Statement to ensure consistent processing, but does not address the Scottish Government's specific concerns about current processes, timelines, or the inability to fulfil policy proposals.
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39 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The most pressing data sharing issue between the two governments relates to the planned rollout...
The most pressing data sharing issue between the two governments relates to the planned rollout of the Scottish Child Payment to children aged six to 16, a policy priority for the Scottish Government. Currently the Scottish Government offers £10 a … Read more
Government Response
The DWP describes its general process for handling data sharing requests via a dedicated Board and forum, but does not specifically address the identified hurdles or reported change in attitude regarding data for the Scottish Child Payment rollout for older children.
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43 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
However, the DWP also highlighted difficulties they experienced responding to other data requests from the...
However, the DWP also highlighted difficulties they experienced responding to other data requests from the Scottish Government. The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work explained that in his opinion the Scottish Government have announced welfare policies that the Scottish … Read more
Government Response
The government's response reiterates DWP's existing processes for considering and responding to data sharing requests, including the Scottish Devolution Data Sharing Board and regular forums, but does not directly address the concern about the Scottish Government announcing policies before confirming data availability.
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49 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The evidence we have heard on data sharing between the governments suggests that there are...
The evidence we have heard on data sharing between the governments suggests that there are three main operational issues regarding data sharing: • data that the DWP may hold but may not currently share due to established processes underpinning consent … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines DWP's existing processes for considering data sharing requests, including the Scottish Devolution Data Sharing Board and established forums, but does not specifically detail how these mechanisms address the three operational issues identified by the committee.
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51 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The delays to the rollout of the devolved benefits until 2025 are highly regrettable.
The delays to the rollout of the devolved benefits until 2025 are highly regrettable. Although this delay can be blamed in part on covid-19, the largest delays were announced in 2019—a delay from 2021 to 2024. The Committee regrets that … Read more
Government Response
The government details its processes for handling data sharing requests with the Scottish Government, including a dedicated board and regular forums, and advises the Scottish Government to establish its own datasets, but does not directly address the committee's regret over benefit rollout delays.
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74 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The rate of these benefits according to the Scottish Government ‘will remain the same as...
The rate of these benefits according to the Scottish Government ‘will remain the same as the current rate of the equivalent UK disability benefit.’178 This means that those eligible will receive between £23.60 and £141.50 per week, depending on the … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights its ambitious policies and the introduction of Scottish disability benefits, including Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment, but does not address the committee's specific observation about the benefit rates remaining the same as equivalent UK benefits.
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84 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
Unlike previous benefit systems Universal Credit is designed to be a digital by default system,...
Unlike previous benefit systems Universal Credit is designed to be a digital by default system, meaning that digital mechanisms are the DWP’s primary approach for the application and processing of Universal Credit. This process has reformed benefit administration; online applications … Read more
Government Response
The government's response highlights DWP's positive pandemic response, Universal Credit's resilience, the increase in Work Coaches and specialist disability employment advisors in Scotland, and expresses appreciation for DWP employees, but does not address the committee's descriptive conclusion about the digital-by-default design of Universal Credit.
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92 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
We heard in evidence from the DWP of their pilot of using video calls as...
We heard in evidence from the DWP of their pilot of using video calls as a way of supporting people with their Universal Credit claim especially during the pandemic when people have not been able to travel. They stated this … Read more
Government Response
The government's response did not address the committee's observation regarding the successful video call pilot for Universal Credit claimants. Instead, it described existing support resources such as the Freephone helpline, open Jobcentres, and Citizens Advice Scotland's "Help to Claim" service.
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95 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
Throughout our inquiry we received a significant amount of evidence that suggested the amount of...
Throughout our inquiry we received a significant amount of evidence that suggested the amount of money provided by Universal Credit is insufficient for reducing poverty in Scotland. Below is a table highlighting the standard allowance that a claimant of Universal … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterated that Universal Credit provided a vital safety net during the pandemic and that its 'Plan for Jobs' aims to help people into work, but it did not address the observed insufficiency of current support payments to cover essential bills.
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96 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
Claimants may also be eligible for additional elements of Universal Credit including those for children,...
Claimants may also be eligible for additional elements of Universal Credit including those for children, housing, health and disabilities, and for carers.
Government Response
The government's response discusses the work allowance in Universal Credit and states it has no plans to extend it to single adults, which does not directly address the committee's factual observation about various additional Universal Credit elements.
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99 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
Our survey on the experiences of people with social security in Scotland found that a...
Our survey on the experiences of people with social security in Scotland found that a majority (68%) felt that the money they received in support payments would not cover their bills for rent, food, internet, council tax and utilities. One … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterated that Universal Credit provided a vital safety net during the pandemic and that its 'Plan for Jobs' aims to help people into work, but it did not address the observed insufficiency of current support payments to cover essential bills.
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100 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
At the start of the covid-19 pandemic Universal Credit was uplifted by £20 a week...
At the start of the covid-19 pandemic Universal Credit was uplifted by £20 a week (£1,040 a year).244 The evidence we have heard has been very supportive of this policy and the change has helped Universal Credit claimants enormously during … Read more
Government Response
The government states the Universal Credit uplift was a temporary measure during the pandemic, and that its ambition is to help people into work as the economy recovers through initiatives like the Plan for Jobs, rather than addressing concerns about the uplift's removal.
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115 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
An example of the process is provided on the Gov.uk website: • You make a...
An example of the process is provided on the Gov.uk website: • You make a new Universal Credit claim on 1 September. 287 Department for Work and Pensions (WPS0021) 288 Department for Work and Pensions (WPS0021) 289 Citizens Advice Scotland … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details the repayment terms for Universal Credit advances and rejects the idea of non-repayable advances due to fraud risk, administrative burden, and high costs, without addressing the committee's descriptive conclusion about the payment process.
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116 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
We heard evidence of how the five week wait for Universal Credit and the associated...
We heard evidence of how the five week wait for Universal Credit and the associated advance payment system is causing a lot of difficulty for claimants in Scotland. Chris Birt of The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said it can ‘force people … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines the terms for Universal Credit advances, including extended repayment periods for new advances, and rejects non-repayable advances citing fraud risks and costs, but does not address the committee's concerns about the five-week wait and existing advance system causing hardship.
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122 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
We welcome the improvements made to the advance payment system, such as the doubling of...
We welcome the improvements made to the advance payment system, such as the doubling of the amount of time to repay, and a reduction in the rate at which deductions can be made. We also acknowledge the advance system is … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines existing terms for Universal Credit advances, including extended repayment periods, and rejects the introduction of non-repayable advances due to fraud risks and costs, but does not specifically address the committee's concern that current repayments still make it hard for claimants to afford essentials.
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130 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The Scotland Act 2016 afforded the Scottish Government the opportunity to make changes to the...
The Scotland Act 2016 afforded the Scottish Government the opportunity to make changes to the way in which Universal Credit is administered to claimants in Scotland. However, Universal Credit remains a reserved benefit which means the DWP retain control of … Read more
Government Response
The response describes the Scottish Government's current policy for offering Scottish Choices and their interaction with DWP Alternative Payment Arrangements, but does not directly address the committee's observation regarding the reserved nature of Universal Credit or the division of control between DWP and the Scottish Government.
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134 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
According to DWP figures from November 2020, 35,608 Universal Credit claimants had chosen the Scottish...
According to DWP figures from November 2020, 35,608 Universal Credit claimants had chosen the Scottish Choices option of having their rent paid directly to their landlord, whilst 77,100 people had chosen to receive the more frequent payment option whilst receiving … Read more
Government Response
The government explains the policy for offering Scottish Choices in the second assessment period and their relationship with DWP Alternative Payment Arrangements, but does not address the uptake figures presented in the conclusion.
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135 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
Throughout the inquiry we heard evidence that there were a number of barriers that were...
Throughout the inquiry we heard evidence that there were a number of barriers that were preventing claimants from accessing the options provided by Scottish Choices: • Lack of awareness of the Choices. • The wait for Scottish Choices to be … Read more
Government Response
The government described its current policy on offering Scottish Choices in the second assessment period and the availability of DWP Alternative Payment Arrangements, but did not directly address the identified barriers preventing claimants from accessing these options.
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141 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
We heard evidence that there were administration issues with the direct payment to landlords option.
We heard evidence that there were administration issues with the direct payment to landlords option. Citizens Advice Scotland told us that it ‘has been tricky for DWP, social landlords and all the other various parts of the system—the Scottish Government … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines its policy for offering Scottish Choices and Alternative Payment Arrangements, but does not address the specific administrative issues raised regarding payment synchronization and system suitability for direct payments to landlords.
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143 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
The Minister for Welfare Delivery, said that ‘information is available through gov.uk [UK Government website]...
The Minister for Welfare Delivery, said that ‘information is available through gov.uk [UK Government website] as part of the Universal Credit application, which outlines what Scottish Choices are and how they operate.’352 Margarita Morrison, Area Director, Work and Health Services … Read more
Government Response
The response describes the Scottish Government's current policy for offering Scottish Choices and how they operate, but does not address the committee's observation regarding the DWP's communication or prioritisation of Scottish Choices.
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147 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Welfare policy in …
We see Universal Credit Scottish Choices as positive and flexible options to the people of...
We see Universal Credit Scottish Choices as positive and flexible options to the people of Scotland, but the policy has been let down by a lack of communication by the Scottish Government and the DWP and Jobcentre Plus network in … Read more
Government Response
The government explained the policy on Universal Credit Scottish Choices and DWP Alternative Payment Arrangements, but did not address the committee's concern about a lack of communication regarding their availability.
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Government Response AI assessment · 148 of 37 classified
Accepted 40
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 33
Deferred 20
Not Addressed 27
Rejected 27
Total 37 recs + 111 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
7 Feb 2022 Correspondence with Chloe Smith MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, and David Rutley MP, Minister for Welfare Delivery, Department for Work and Pensions, on welfare policy in Scotland, dated 22 November 2021 and 27 January 2022
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13 May 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Justin Tomlinson MP, and the Minister for Welfare Delivery, Will Quince MP, Department for Work & Pensions, follow-up to oral evidence session on 18 March about welfare policy in Scotland, 22 April 2021
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13 May 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Department for Work and Pensions Ministers, Will Quince MP and Justin Tomlinson MP, relating to the oral evidence session on 18 March about welfare policy in Scotland, 30 March 2021
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25 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, on a report the Scottish Government has published on the links between Universal Credit and homelessness in Scotland, 17 March 2021
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25 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, on publication of the first evaluation of the Universal Credit (UC) Scottish choices, 5 March 2021
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