- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many households in Scotland receive Sure Start Maternity Grants each year.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00232 on 15 June 2016. 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
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what relationship its new social security agency, as referred to in the Programme for Government, will have with local government.
Answer
We are undertaking a detailed business case to explore how the agency and wider social security system will work in Scotland. This will consider both national and local delivery options and aim to make sure services are streamlined and accessible. This work will be informed by the results of the social security consultation published on 29 July 2016.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether recipients of the Best Start Grant, as referred to in the Programme for Government, will continue to receive healthy start vouchers at the same level as current recipients.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02657 on 28 September 2016. 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.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether any underspend for an increased carers allowance will be protected if take-up does not meet estimates.
Answer
Spend on Carer’s Allowance will be demand led, which means the Scottish Government commits to meeting the costs of every valid claim made in each and every year.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government when families with severely disabled children will begin to receive an extended winter fuel payment, as referred to in its Programme for Government.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02675 on 28 September 2016. 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
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much is paid out in Sure Start Maternity Grants to eligible households in Scotland each year.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00232 on 15 June 2016. 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
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government when it will commence awarding families with severely disabled children an extended winter fuel payment, as referred to in the Programme for Government, and whether it has investigated the use of its power to create a new benefit to make this payment in 2016-17.
Answer
Implementing reforms to existing benefits requires a large-scale programme of transition, legislation and implementation. As part of this programme, a timetable for the commencement of the relevant sections of the 2016 Scotland Act, will be agreed by Scottish Ministers and UK Government Ministers, via the forum of the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare. Further announcements on future social security policy and delivery will be made at an appropriate stage.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what the total expenditure will be on an increased carers allowance, as referred to in the Programme for Government.
Answer
Total expenditure on increased Carer’s Allowance will depend on when the increase is implemented and the number of people receiving Carer’s Allowance at that point in time.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government where it will base its new social security agency, as referred to in the Programme for Government.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-01838 on 26 August 2016. 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
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether staff from the Department of Work and Pensions will be transferred to its new social security agency, as referred to in the Programme for Government.
Answer
It is too early to determine if and how any of the DWP employees currently administering the benefits to be devolved might transfer to the Scottish social security agency.
In considering the employment issues arising from the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Government is in regular contact with trade union colleagues through the Council of Scottish Government Unions, of which PCS, FDA and Prospect are part.