Parliamentary questions
Mark Griffin
2,186 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in its severe disablement allowance (SDA) position paper that, "In 2018 a survey was issued to Experience Panel members inviting them to share their experience of SDA. Although only a small number of responses were received, members did not raise any significant …
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Give that fewer than 10 Experience Panel members took part the data will be not be published as there is a risk it could be disclosive. No concerns were identified from the small number of panel members spoken to.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it has requested severe disablement allowance caseload data from the DWP, and whether the information provided included how many working age claimants were on the benefit at that time.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has requested information relating to Severe Disablement Allowance caseload on the following dates: 09-05-2016 26-06-2016 06-02-2017 17-07-2017 04-09-2017 The information provided has included working age client data.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the severe disablement allowance mortality statistics that it has requested from the DWP.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: To date, the Scottish Government has not specifically requested "mortality statistics" on Severe Disablement Allowance from The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in its disability assistance assessments policy position paper concerning suitably qualified assessors, whether it will publish the advice paper prepared by the Disability and Carers Benefits Expert Advisory Group regarding such assessors.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: This advice is available at https://www.gov.scot/groups/disability-carers-benefits-expert-advisory-group/.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment in its disability assistance assessments policy position paper that "we therefore intend to provide a proportion of assessors with additional training in the impact of mental health conditions and learning disabilities", what proportion of assessors will have thi…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The proportion of assessors required to undertake this training has still to be determined. In doing so, the Scottish Government will undertake modelling taking into account feedback from the current Disability Assistance consultation as well as input from th…
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the statement in its Social security case transfer: policy position paper that "before we can transfer existing claims we first need to deliver our new claims/application service", whether the transfer of existing cases is liable to delay should the new claims and applicatio…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Case transfer cannot commence until the new claims systems have been implemented.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the statement in its Social security case transfer: policy position paper, that "We expect to complete the case transfer by 2024... This will be subject to DWP agreeing to match our pace", whether the expected 2024 completion date is liable to delay if the DWP does not agree…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has been discussing the arrangements for safe and secure case transfer with DWP since June 2018. We are committed to working with existing benefit recipients and stakeholder organisations to ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes of…
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the statements in its position paper on devolved social security transfer that "no-one will be subject to a face to face re-assessment by DWP when new claims for PIP/Disability Assistance for Working Age People are open", whether anyone will be subject to a face to face re-a…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We remain committed to significantly reducing the number of assessments and reassessments carried out for individuals making a new application for Disability Assistance for Working Age People (DAWAP). The detailed design of DAWAP is ongoing and will aim to en…
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of statements in its Social security case transfer: policy position paper, on what date discussions with the DWP on case transfer commenced.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has been discussing the arrangements for safe and secure case transfer with DWP since June 2018.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of statements in its Social security case transfer: policy position paper, how many working-age people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance will transfer to Disability Assistance for Working Age People.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: DWP has not confirmed how many working-age people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance will not have been migrated to Personal Independence Payment at the date of transfer of Executive Competence, and will therefore require to be transferred.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of statements in its Industrial Injuries Disabled Benefit: policy position paper, and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People's letter to the Convener of the Social Security Committee of 28 February 2019, whether it is its confirmed position that the new clai…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Yes .
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement in its position paper on Cold Spell and Winter Heating Assistance (WHA) that "We propose this WHA payment is consistent with the current Winter Fuel Payments made by the UK Government at £200", whether WHA will differ from the current Winter Fuel Payment scheme …
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22069 on 26 March 2019. 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/…
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement in its position paper on Cold Spell and Winter Heating Assistance (WHA) that "We propose this WHA payment is consistent with the current Winter Fuel Payments made by the UK Government at £200", whether WHA will only be paid at a rate of £200.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22069 on 26 March 2019. 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/…
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement in its position paper on Cold Spell and Winter Heating Assistance (WHA) that "We propose this WHA payment is consistent with the current Winter Fuel Payments made by the UK Government at £200", whether WHA will differ from the current Winter Fuel Payment scheme …
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Government's policy on Winter Heating Assistance remains that which was clearly set out in the position paper published on? 28 February 2019. The sentence quoted refers to the paragraph directly above on Winter Heating Assistance for any family living in …
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the statements in its position paper on Short Term Assistance, whether such assistance will be recoverable where the principal assistance has been found to have been overpaid rather than as a result of fraud.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Our starting position is that Short-term Assistance will not be recoverable where the principal assistance is found to have been overpaid rather than as a result of fraud. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on this proposal and will review its p…
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the statements in its position paper on Short Term Assistance, for what reason it decided to use the civil legal test of "balance of probabilities" to determine whether to reduce or stop an individual's payments during a fraud investigation, and whether it considered using t…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has chosen to propose a “balance of probabilities” test in determining when to stop providing assistance, where it suspects fraud, as an appropriate level of protection to the public purse. We believe that it would be disproportionate…
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the statements in its Support for Carers position paper, what other changes to eligibility clients and stakeholders have asked it to consider.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: As part of building foundations for long term carer benefits, the Scottish Government has engaged with carers and carer organisations to identify potential areas for change. These suggestions include: Extending the eligibility to those with multiple caring re…
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to consult on proposals regarding support for carers before 2021, and what the reasons are for its position on this.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government will ensure that we consult on our proposals for the introduction of Carer’s Assistance in 2021. The Scottish Government is committed to building a social security system based on the needs and views of people who receive benefits.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish a full report of the case transfer research with experience panels members, in addition to the visual summary that was published on 27 February 2019.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Research with Experience Panel members on the subject of case transfer is ongoing, and the final report is due for publication in Summer 2019.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether light-touch reviews will be part of the assessment process for disability assistance for older people.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Consultation on Disability Assistance in Scotland, which launched on 5 March 2019, set out our policy proposals around Disability Assistance for Older People, light-touch reviews and assessments. We do not intend to conduct face to face assessments for D…
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government at what rate disability assistance for older people will be paid, and whether it will provide a breakdown of the components of this benefit.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Consultation on Disability Assistance in Scotland, which launched on 5 March 2019, set out our intentions to pay Disability Assistance for Older People based on the following 2018-19 rates for care:Lower Rate £57.30Higher Rate £85.60
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will manage the migration of people over 65 who access attendance allowance to disability assistance for older people.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The published Social Security case transfer policy position paper sets out our approach to transferring existing benefits from the DWP to Social Security Scotland.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people over 65 will migrate to disability assistance for older people.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Current estimates are that 89,800 cases of people over 65 in receipt of Attendance Allowance will transfer over to Disability Assistance for Older People.
12 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will manage the migration of people over 65 who access disability living allowance/personal independence payment to disability assistance for older people.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: People over 65 who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance will be transferred over to a Scottish version of DLA for people over 65. People over 65 who are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment will be transferred over to Disability Assistance for…
6 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its (a) social security policy position papers and (b) consultation on disability assistance take account of the EU social security coordination rules.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The policies discussed in the consultation and associated papers are not directly relevant to the coordination rules. The rules control how differing social security systems fit together to ensure EEA nationals can access support in other member states. Each …
5 Mar 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People on 28 February 2019 (Official Report, c. 50), what assessment it made prior to the statement of the cost of using agency arrangements until 2024; how much it estimates the transition will cost each ye…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Agency agreements are a cost-effective way of ensuring that people continue to receive the right payments at the right time whilst we undertake the work required to develop our new system in a safe and steady way. The costs under each agreement will reflect …
27 Feb 2019 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Neonatal Expenses Fund.
13 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what rules (a) ministers and (b) officials must follow regarding the (i) release of and (ii) commentary on statistics to the media prior to their official release.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Access to official statistics prior to their release is governed by the Pre-Release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Order 2008. This piece of legislation sets out the rules and principles that must be followed, and describes who may receive pre-relea…
7 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Social Security Scotland has set its risk appetite.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland’s Risk Management Strategy was discussed at the meeting of the Audit and Assurance Committee on 19 th February 2019. It’s Risk Register, including risk appetite, will continue to be developed and kept under review.
6 Feb 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason papers presented to the Social Security Scotland Executive Advisory Body have not been published on the body's meetings, minutes and agendas webpage.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. The Executive Advisory Body is responsible for providing advice to the Chief Executive, who is the Accountable Officer. The approach we have taken to publication reflects governance g…