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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 28 November 2024
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Displaying 2151 contributions

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Public Audit Committee

“Scotland’s economy: supporting businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic”

Meeting date: 23 June 2022

Colin Beattie

On that point, your briefing states that complete geographical analysis of the non-council administered funds is not currently possible. I think that you said that the Scottish Government was working on that. Do we have a time when that might be delivered?

Public Audit Committee

“Scotland’s economy: supporting businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic”

Meeting date: 23 June 2022

Colin Beattie

Okay, so we have to wait and see what the Scottish Government produces.

Public Audit Committee

“Scotland’s economy: supporting businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic”

Meeting date: 23 June 2022

Colin Beattie

It would be helpful if we can receive any further information on other bodies.

Public Audit Committee

Section 23 Report: “Social security: Progress on implementing the devolved benefits”

Meeting date: 23 June 2022

Colin Beattie

Auditor General, this must be a red-letter day—two positive reports in one day. I cannot remember when that last happened.

There are three areas that I would like to touch on, the first of which is the new approaches to the social security system. Paragraph 20 on page 11 refers to the introduction of the new approaches. They seem very commendable and so on. They include things such as local delivery, advocacy and multiple channels for accepting applications. However, to go back to that old favourite—data—is there any data on the use of the services and the extent to which they deliver value for money?

Public Audit Committee

“Scotland’s economy: supporting businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic”

Meeting date: 23 June 2022

Colin Beattie

Your briefing states:

“Business support funding payments will be included in the next National Fraud Initiative data matching exercise.”

To what extent could other areas of Covid-related fraud and error be picked up in that initiative?

Public Audit Committee

Section 23 Report: “Social security: Progress on implementing the devolved benefits”

Meeting date: 23 June 2022

Colin Beattie

I will intervene at that point and ask one small question. You have some percentages, for example on satisfaction. What do we compare that to? A piece of data is just a piece of data until you can measure it against something.

Public Audit Committee

Section 23 Report: “Social security: Progress on implementing the devolved benefits”

Meeting date: 23 June 2022

Colin Beattie

Are you satisfied that the data will eventually be useful when it is developed and put together? This seems an opportunity to get the data collection right for once, as it is a new system.

Public Audit Committee

Section 23 Report: “Social security: Progress on implementing the devolved benefits”

Meeting date: 23 June 2022

Colin Beattie

The last area is the Scottish child payment. There has been reference made to the DWP in connection with this. You have highlighted in your report that there are huge challenges there in relation to timescales and data sharing. The extension of the payment relies on the DWP developing a new digital system and you have highlighted that there is not much space left for testing in advance of delivery, so a programme is being developed on design plans that cannot yet be tested. One of the lessons learned from the launch of the Scottish child payment for children under six was the need to plan and protect suitable time for system testing prior to implementation. Are you confident that the risk is being managed appropriately? What are the Scottish Government’s mitigation plans should the timescale slip due to circumstances outside its control? Do we have faith in the DWP managing to deliver in time?

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Broadband Connectivity

Meeting date: 22 June 2022

Colin Beattie

Is there an expectation that the network will be maintained by a commercial operator?

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Broadband Connectivity

Meeting date: 22 June 2022

Colin Beattie

Is there an end date for those tests in Orkney and Loch Lomond? In connection with the maintenance of the network, when will there be clarity as to the model that is being used?