The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1054 contributions
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 9 June 2022
Jeremy Balfour
That would be very helpful. Thank you, minister.
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 9 June 2022
Jeremy Balfour
Sorry, my computer has just gone quiet. I will let Miles go first.
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 9 June 2022
Jeremy Balfour
I would just make a point of clarification for the minister: I do not think that anyone from Social Security Scotland works for him. It is a totally independent body away from Scottish Government. I say that merely so there is no misunderstanding on that.
I have a quick question, minister. There seems to be a difference in the treatment and the extent of backdating that is available to people transferring from DLA compared to people transferring from PIP. Did you look at any mitigation measures around that?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 9 June 2022
Jeremy Balfour
That was very helpful.
As a quick follow-up, if there is any divergence between the UK and Scottish Governments on, say, ADP, what information do you need from both to do your forecasts? Do you take a view on whether the divergence is significant and whether it has to be paid for by the Scottish Government or can be mopped up within the UK budget?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 26 May 2022
Jeremy Balfour
I thank both witnesses for the evidence that they have given so far. I remind the committee that I am in receipt of PIP and will be transferred at some point. I have a quick question about the backdating of awards, which you have commented on. Could you give us a bit more information on the reduced ability to backdate awards and the financial effect that that will have on some claimants?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 26 May 2022
Jeremy Balfour
That is helpful. Is one of the issues that creditors are trying to secure the debt against other debts and so are almost going forward with legal action to secure that? Is there any other way that we can prevent people from having to go to bankruptcy while protecting creditors and having the debt repaid at some point, or is bankruptcy the only way around that?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 26 May 2022
Jeremy Balfour
My final question will just push that a bit further. With public debts to local authorities, is there any other way that local authorities could act without having to put people into bankruptcy?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 26 May 2022
Jeremy Balfour
Most of my questions have been covered, but there is one area that I wanted to pursue briefly. From the evidence that we have taken over the past number of weeks, many people are in a crisis situation that might get worse into the autumn and early next year. However, a lot of what you have been talking about—primary legislation, more reviews and recommendations and so on—is longer term. If there were the political will, what things could be done quickly and immediately to make people’s lives easier? In your opinion, is there nothing that can be done in the short term about bankruptcy to make things easier?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 26 May 2022
Jeremy Balfour
Thank you.
10:15Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 26 May 2022
Jeremy Balfour
Good morning, and thank you for coming. I have a couple of questions that follow on from the deputy convener’s questions. Do you know what the percentage is of public debt for the people who come to you with bankruptcy? How much of the debt is because of either rent arrears or council tax?