As an amendment to motion S6M-06572 in the name of Ben Macpherson (Progress on the Automation and Take-up of Scottish Social Security Benefits), leave out from “welcomes the positive” to end and insert “notes the impact that existing automation of Scottish social security payments is having, including ensuring that most eligible people receive the Child Winter Heating Assistance and Carer’s Allowance Supplement without needing to apply; believes that the opportunity to automate other aspects of the social security system should have been taken before now; regrets that the Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and the Best Start Grant School Age Payment for eligible families in receipt of Scottish Child Payment are not yet automated; notes that uptake for Scottish social security payments is not yet maximised and that the Scottish Government has chosen to allow the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) to continue to administrate several devolved benefits; believes that opportunities for further automation must be expedited so that more people get the benefits that they are entitled to, which is especially important at a time of increasing economic uncertainty; understands that direct referral mechanisms between public agencies and other organisations in Scotland have not been developed, and urges the Scottish Government to prioritise this to ensure that the “no wrong door approach” can be delivered fully, and that those who are entitled to social security payments are enabled to access the financial support that they are eligible for.”
Result 48 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 19 did not vote Vote Defeated
Scottish National Party
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Labour
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
No Party Affiliation
Submitted by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Supported by: Christina McKelvie, Shona Robison
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Thursday, November 3, 2022
Result 65 for, 46 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote Vote Passed
Submitted by: Jeremy Balfour, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date lodged: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Supported by: Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Sue Webber
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Thursday, November 3, 2022
Result 28 for, 83 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote Vote Defeated