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The Scottish Government has committed to providing continuity of service for disabled people in the transition to devolved services in a transitional year from April 2017, and in advance of a full programme beginning in April 2018. To do that, on 6 September this year, Scottish Ministers announced 1 year contracts with the existing providers of DWP’s Work Choice programme to deliver Work First Scotland.

Supported employment outcomes will be recognised and rewarded as job outcomes in Work First Scotland.

I announced on the 19 December that from next academic year, we are making postgraduate study more affordable for students domiciled in Scotland by increasing the maximum level of available loan support to £10,000 and greatly widening the range of eligible taught post graduate courses up to full masters level.

The Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Act 2012 places an obligation on Scottish Ministers to report annually to the Scottish Parliament until 2017 on the impact that the UK Welfare Reform Act 2012 is likely to have on the people of Scotland. These reports, which contain information relating to Personal Independence Payments, have been laid in Parliament annually since 2013. They are also available on the Scottish Government website at

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/fairerscotland/annualreport .

For Work First Scotland (WFS) the Scottish Government have designed a robust performance management framework to ensure that key performance indicators (KPIs) are met, providing quality of support to all customer. Key products and tools have been developed to assist in the performance management activity. WFS Service Providers will be subject to monthly random sampling of customer case files, observation visits and deep dives to ensure that the KPIs are being achieved and that the service is delivered consistently across the programme for all Customers. Any areas requiring to be addressed will be monitored through performance management reviews and improvement activities.

For Work Able Scotland (WAS) Skills Development Scotland, who are contract managing WAS on behalf of the Scottish Government, have a set of quality standards which are designed to help assess the extent to which Service Providers deliver quality provider services which are focused on the needs of Customers and employers. The Service Provider is required to meet minimum standards and take action as set out in the SDS Quality Management Framework to achieve improvements over the contract period. This framework supports Skills Investment Advisors in their contract management role to review and analyse monthly performance information and discuss in detail with the Service Provider any concerns they have regarding performance, gaining an understanding of what has been successful in progressing Customers into a positive destination and identifying what is not working in terms of negative destinations.

The Scottish Government has not discussed this specific issue with local authorities. CoSLA are a co-partner in the Equally Safe strategy to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls. In relation to the work they are taking forward with Scottish Women's Aid to develop guidance for local authorities in commissioning domestic abuse services, Scottish Government officials have had sight of an early draft and offered factual comments on that.

It is for local authorities and partners to determine the most appropriate approach in ensuring that women and children affected by domestic abuse received the right support. Scottish Women's Aid and CoSLA are developing guidance for local authorities on the commissioning of domestic abuse services, and we understand this will be published imminently. The Scottish Government has published guidance for public bodies in deciding whether a grant or a procured contract is appropriate for a particular service. This can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/spfm/GuidanceNotes/FGN2015-11.

The Scottish Government is committed to providing support for specialist services that support women and children affected by domestic abuse. We will continue to work with the third sector local authorities and partners to ensure that such support is provided.

In 2016-17, the Scottish Government has invested in direct support for front line services through the Violence against Women and Girls (3.36 million) and Children Services (3.47 million) Funds. Details of the Budget for future years will be published in December, and allocations from the Equality Budget will be made in 2017. We have no plans to introduce earmarked funding within local authority budget settlements for the provision of these services.

The Scottish Government recognises and values the significant contribution that local, specialist services make to supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. We are committed to working with Scottish Women's Aid, CoSLA and key partners to ensure that women and children experiencing domestic abuse receive support.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work wrote to David Gauke, MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 27 October 2016 seeking a meeting to discuss HMRC’s transformation programme in detail and explore what can be done to mitigate its impact in Scotland.

Once this meeting has taken place we will be in a better position to decide what support is required.