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Exchanges between Scottish Ministers and the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) are subject to a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) between the Ministers and the DWP on joint working arrangements, covering the implementation of devolved provisions in the Scotland Act 2016 relating to Social Security in Scotland. Information supplied by DWP to SG is held in confidence under the terms of this MOU.

On 25 October 2016 the Scottish Government published on its website a Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish Government and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on joint working arrangements for the implementation of devolved powers. It sets out a framework for co-operation and collaboration, including the development of delivery options. Transaction costs for the Central Payment System were provided to the Scottish Government in confidence under the terms of this MOU.

As we design and develop our policy around cold-spell heating allowance, we will consider the most appropriate, accurate and cost-effective ways in which to ensure that weather forecasting and monitoring can support the targeting of the assistance to those in greatest need.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is a temporary measure until the Scottish Government takes over full control of Carer’s Allowance. Payments of the supplement will be made by the Scottish social security agency. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will continue to pay Carer’s Allowance to carers in Scotland in the same way and at the same time as it is currently paid. This arrangement will be set out in an Agency Agreement and Service Level Agreement with the DWP.

Explanatory notes provided with the Social Security Bill at introduction outline plans for the end of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement as follows: ‘It is envisaged that the supplement will cease to be needed once regulations under section 11 have been made to provide a scheme for carer’s assistance, as that can provide for payments at the increased rate. Section 48 allows the Scottish Ministers to repeal the duty to pay the supplement and revoke any regulations made under it.’ (Paragraph 75)

The current agreement between the Department of Work and Pensions and the Met Office provides for each postcode area to be allocated to one of 94 weather stations, which together cover all parts of Scotland, England and Wales.

We are aware of previous calls for more localised forecasts and additional weather stations to determine Cold Weather Payment thresholds made during the consultation on Social Security in Scotland and will take these into account as we ensure that the new powers operate in Scotland’s best interests.

We are aware of calls for more localised forecasts and additional weather stations to determine Cold Weather Payment thresholds made during the consultation on Social Security in Scotland and will take these into account as we ensure that the new powers operate in Scotland’s best interests.

a) Tayside

•  Lead supplier: Remploy Ltd
•  Sub-contractor: Rathbone CI
• Additionally the Lead Supplier has proposed to engage with a wide range of organisations to support individual participants with specialist needs, for example: numeracy and literacy, homelessness, addiction, debt, offending and health issues. Sub-contracts will be agreed when an individual participant is identified as requiring these types of interventions. Specialist organisations that are committed to supporting the delivery of the service include:
•  Apex Scotland; Barnardo's; Blueprint Training; Christians Against Poverty; Concept Northern; Enable Scotland; Lifeskills Central Ltd; One Parent Families; Penumbra; Prince’s Trust; Project Scotland; Salus; Scottish Association for Mental Health; Scottish Refugee Council; Street League; West of Scotland Regional Equality Council; Shelter Scotland; The Helm; Dundee Association for Mental Health; and DEAP Ltd

b) West

•  Lead supplier: The Wise Group
•  Sub-contractors:

ENABLE Scotland

Enterprise Mentoring

Street League

The Lennox Partnership

Working Links

Additionally the Lead Supplier has proposed to engage with a wide range of organisations to support individual participants with specialist needs. Sub-contracts will be agreed when an individual participant is identified as requiring this type of intervention. Specialist organisations that are committed to supporting the delivery of the service in Lot West include:

•  Community Renewal, Project Scotland, Salus, Venture Trust.

We will consider all the responses to the consultation on Social Security in Scotland and the recommendations of the Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and the Rural Task Force in ensuring that these new powers operate in Scotland’s best interests.

As with each of the 11 benefits we will take on board the views of stakeholders and Experience Panels on the future policy and delivery of Cold Weather Payments in Scotland

I refer the member to the answers to questions S5W-14564 on 6 March 2018 and S5W-14565 on 8 March 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Regulations under section 11 of the Social Security (Scotland) Bill will be brought forward following the passage of Bill. These will make provision for a number of forms of assistance to be provided to carers, including assistance to replace Carer’s Allowance and to introduce the Young Carer Grant.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is a temporary measure until the Scottish social security agency takes on full responsibility for paying assistance to carers as provided for by the Bill. At this point, carers in Scotland will receive support at a higher rate, removing the need for the additional payment provided through the Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

We will announce further implementation dates in due course.