Seòmar agus comataidhean

Invitation to attend Committee Meeting

Letter to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

The Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Via email only 


30 August 2021


Dear Thérèse,

United Kingdom Social Security Priorities: Evidence Session

The Committee considered correspondence (9 August) from Justin Tomlinson, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, at its business planning day in response to my letter to you of 8 July 2021.

Whilst the Committee recognises that priorities for delivery of social security powers devolved under the Scotland Act 2016 are a matter for the Scottish Government, the Committee is keen to develop its working relations across the nations both at parliamentary and governmental level. 
There remains much interdependence between the hybrid Scottish and UK systems both in terms of delivery infrastructure and decision making.

As such, the Committee would like to invite you to a meeting of the Committee to learn more about your priorities for social security. Sharing learning and innovation across the nations will be invaluable in addressing the collective issues we face.

The Committee is keen to hear more from you on data sharing, the Universal Credit uplift and how we can build relationships between national governments amongst other things.

The committee clerks can liaise with your ministerial office to identify a mutually convenient date. Please note the session can be held virtually to minimise the impact on your diary.

I look forward to hearing from you and would welcome a response to the invitation by 17 September 2021.

Yours sincerely
 
Neil Gray MSP
Convener, Social Justice and Social Security Committee