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Policy development and the design of the social security application process is still on-going. Matters relating to time limits for applications will be set out in individual benefit regulations following consultation with key stakeholders.

A key aim of the Scottish Government will be to ensure that people will receive the social security assistance to which they are entitled in the right amount and at the right time.

Local authorities have a duty under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to make such arrangements as they consider necessary for the transport between home and school of pupils residing and attending schools in their area.

All authorities currently provide free transport for pupils living more than the statutory walking distance from the school the authority has identified as the nearest suitable school. The statutory walking distance is defined as 2 miles for children aged under 8 and 3 miles for those aged 8 and older.

There are no plans to change the current arrangements.

The Social Security (Scotland) Bill provides the power to vary the rates of social security benefits, including to uprate and we have already committed to maintain spending on disability assistance, annually uprating in line with inflation.

The budget requirements of all Scottish Government portfolios, including those for Social Security, are considered annually as part of the budget process.

The main purpose of short term assistance is to be made available to people when their on-going assistance has been reduced or stopped, and that decision is subject to a re-determination or an appeal. The policy intent is that the individual will have a right to choose, at the point of challenge, whether they want financial assistance to continue.

The Scottish Government is aiming to make this request as simple, quick and easy as possible and is committed to co-designing the process with people with lived experience of the current system to ensure that it meets the needs of users.

The Scottish Government is committed to extending winter fuel payments to families with severely disabled children and we welcome Contact’s recent report, which underlines the importance of implementing our commitment to extend winter fuel payments to families in this situation.

The new Winter Heating Allowance is currently being considered as part of the ongoing social security policy development process. We have committed to not means testing the Allowance. This will include direct engagement with key stakeholders and our experience panels to design the best, most accessible system possible. The introduction of this and other benefits will be announced as soon as is possible.

The precise eligibility criteria for the new Winter Heating Allowance is being considered as part of the ongoing policy development process. This will include direct engagement with key stakeholders and our experience panels, prior to bringing forward draft regulations and, depending on the outcome, draft legislation as it goes through the Parliamentary process.

The rate at which the Winter Heating Allowance will be paid to families with severely disabled children is being considered as part of the ongoing policy development process. This will include direct engagement with key stakeholders and our experience panels, prior to bringing forward draft regulations and, depending on the outcome, draft legislation as it goes through the Parliamentary process. As outlined in written answer to S5W-13158 on 22 December 2017, we have committed to not means testing the allowance. 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

Disabled children, young people and their families should never expect to experience discrimination, be denied opportunities, or access to support because of irrelevant or perceived differences. This report is primarily based on data from England and Wales with some data on Scotland from the 2011 Census. Scotland can evidence that the five recommendations are already well underway and incorporated into numerous strategies and legislation at a Scotland wide level. Notably, the Scottish Government is also currently developing the “Supporting Disabled Children, Young People and their Families Framework” which is rights based, and on a cross-Directorate basis. We will consider rights and entitlements within that context.

The Scottish Government published detailed analysis in June on the Cost of Living in Scotland. The report looks specifically at the poverty premium: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00520732.docx.

We know that low income households spend a higher proportion of income on essential goods and services. That’s why our Fairer Scotland Action Plan included a specific action on tackling the poverty premium. We held a summit with energy companies last December and wrote to them on 17 February 2017 challenging them to identify further action they could take to help low income consumers get a better deal on their fuel bills. In 2018 we will roll out a Financial Health Check with a particular focus on low income families. This service will advise on establishing eligibility for and claiming financial entitlements; securing the best deal on financial products, services, utilities including energy; and managing money, all of which will support income maximisation.

The Scottish Government intends to review its School Transport Guidance Circular, once the Seat Belts on School Transport (Scotland) Bill has received Royal Assent.