Parliamentary questions
Mark Griffin
2,186 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
20 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish its service level agreement with Citizens Advice Scotland for delivery of its Financial Health Check service.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We do not intend to publish the service level agreement.
20 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people have had a financial health check conducted (a) centrally by telephone and (b) locally in a citizens advice bureau.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-20746 on 15 January 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/parliamentarybusines…
19 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its draft social security charter has not been published, and by what date it will be.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The draft social security charter was laid for Parliamentary approval on 10 January 2019.
19 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information the DWP has requested regarding the role of the working groups developing the Chief Medical Officer's guidance for registered medical practitioners to make clinical judgements on terminal illness in relation to disability assistance, and what information it has provided …
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The DWP has not requested any information.
19 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the DWP regarding the role of the working groups developing the Chief Medical Officer's guidance for registered medical practitioners to make clinical judgements on terminal illness in relation to disability assistance.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Deputy Director/Senior Medical Officer to the Chief Medical Officer in Scotland has spoken to the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, who provides Chief Medical advice to the Department for Work and Pensions. They were informed that Registered Medic…
19 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated saving or cost is of its proposed social security policy on terminal illness, which requires registered medical practitioners to determine eligibility based on their clinical judgement, compared with the DWP policy on terminal illness, which is based on rules in which …
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The financial impact will be depend on the CMO Guidance that is yet to be finalised. At this stage, it is not possible for Scottish Government analysts to estimate the financial impact.
19 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates there will be any additional cost for developing the Chief Medical Officer's guidance for registered medical practitioners to make clinical judgements on terminal illness in relation to disability assistance, beyond those referenced in the former Minister for Socia…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W–20703 on 8 January 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…
18 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Social Security Scotland staff are based at (a) Dundee House, Dundee, (b) High Street, Glasgow, (c) Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, (d) St Andrew's House, Edinburgh, (e) Atlantic Quay, Glasgow and (f) other (i) Social Security Scotland and (ii) Scottish Government premises.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish social security system will be directly delivered by Social Security Scotland, through a local presence providing face-to-face advice, supported by administrative functions in our Dundee headquarters and Glasgow. Location Number of staff Dunde…
13 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the working assumption of its Social Security Directorate is for disability benefit rules and structures to remain broadly the same as those stipulated under disability living allowance, attendance allowance and personal independence payment.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government remains committed to creating a system of disability assistance that works for the people of Scotland. We have previously outlined a number of ways by which we will achieve this, including: an accessible and transparent application pro…
13 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20108 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 December 2018, when the Social Security Programme Board is expected to give a formal view on the Go/No Go for (a) disability assistance, (b) carer's assistance, (c) employment injuries assistance, (d) cold-spell…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Social Security Programme Board considers dates for implementation, and associated Go/No Go decisions, as part of managed programme planning. They will give a formal view on Go/No Go in advance of implementation dates.
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what alternatives to accessing DWP data it has considered in order to mitigate the two-child benefit cap.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has written on numerous occasions to the UK Government requesting that the two child limit be scrapped and have made clear our total opposition to the policy. This policy is part of Universal Credit which is a fully reserved benefit th…
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been received for the best start grant, and how many of these are for a third or greater child.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Over 4,000 applications were received for Best Start Grant on the first day applications opened. That is around the same number of UK Government Sure Start Maternity Grant payments, which Best Start Grant replaces, for the whole of 2017-18 in Scotland. Statis…
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to comments made by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work in The Times on 8 December 2018, when it requested access to DWP data for the purposes of mitigating the two-child benefit cap.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has written on numerous occasions to the UK Government requesting that the two child limit be scrapped and have made clear our total opposition to the policy. This policy is part of Universal Credit which is a fully reserved benefit th…
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it has had with and (b) information it has sought from the UK Government regarding mitigation of the two-child benefit cap.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has written on numerous occasions to the UK Government requesting that the two child limit be scrapped and have made clear our total opposition to the policy. This policy is part of Universal Credit which is a fully reserved benefit th…
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many of (a) its and (b) each if its agencies staff are qualified to participate on recruitment panels; how many of these people identify as (i) female, (ii) disabled, (iii) black or minority ethnic and (iv) LGBTI, and how many have a protected characteristic, broken down by character…
Answer · Derek Mackay: We do not record the number of interview panel members that are qualified to participate, or the protected characteristics of those that are qualified to participate. Interview panel members should have undertaken all the appropriate training. All panel memb…
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many recruitment panels that (a) it and (b) each of its agencies (i) organised in 2017-18 and (ii) have organised since April 2018 had panel members who identified as (A) female, (B) disabled, (C) black or minority ethnic and (D) LGBTI, and how many have a protected characteristic, b…
Answer · Derek Mackay: We do not record the number of interview panels constituted within the Scottish Government or within its agencies, or the protected characteristics of panel membership. With reference to both internal and external vacancies for directly employed staff, the S…
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many recruitment panels that (a) it and (b) each of its agencies (i) organised in 2017-18 and (ii) have organised since April 2018 contained no panel member who identified as (A) female, (B) disabled, (C) black or minority ethnic and (D) LGBTI.
Answer · Derek Mackay: We do not record the number of interview panels constituted within the Scottish Government or within its agencies, or the protected characteristics of panel membership. With reference to both internal and external vacancies for directly employed staff, the S…
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) starting gate and (b) gateway reviews have taken place in its social security directorate.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Social Security Directorate has worked with the Scottish Government Programme and Project Management Centre of Expertise to undertake three Social Security Programme Gateway 0 (Strategic Assessment) reviews (September 2015, March 2016, November 2017) and …
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20268 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 December 2018, for what reason the Social Security Scotland Senior Management Team and Executive Advisory Body were appointed without anyone who identifies as black or minority ethnic, and whether there were any…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I refer the member to question S5W-19666 on 13 November 2018 which provided applicants monitoring information in relation to Ethnic group for Social Security Scotland’s Executive Advisory Body. Posts within the agency’s Senior Management Team were filled in …
11 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20268 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 December 2018, whether the interview panels for the Social Security Scotland Senior Management Team and Executive Advisory Body included anyone who identifies as black or minority ethnic.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Recruitment to Social Security Scotland’s Senior Management Team were made in line with the Scottish Government’s selection policy. The personal characteristics of panel members is not monitored or reported. Appointments to the Executive Advisory Body mirror…
7 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the effectiveness of the Scottish Welfare Fund, and whether this review will consider the fund's (a) social return on investment and (b) financial sustainability.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government continually assesses the effectiveness of the SWF through management information of applications, awards and expenditure. We work closely with local authorities, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and third sector organisations, as…
7 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have used television advertising to encourage applications to the Scottish Welfare Fund.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Administration funding is given to local authorities by the Scottish Government to maintain the Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF), raising awareness of SWF using this funding is at their discretion. The Scottish Government is not aware of television advertising bei…
5 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) retention, (b) turnover and (c) vacancy rate has been of Social Security Scotland staff.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The turnover and retention rates for Social Security Scotland in the period 1 September to 30 November 2018 are shown in the following table. Turnover (Leaver rate) Retention rate 1 September – 30 November 1% 99% Whilst there is no commonly accept…
5 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the processes required to assess applications and make payments of the Best Start Grant baby and pregnancy payments will be automated or manual.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Best Start Grant’s case management systems have been built to automate processes where possible. We are minimising both manual processing and the evidence that a client is required to provide with electronic checks being made where appropriate. For examp…
5 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland is currently a delivery partner for Social Security Scotland, and, if so, what the basis (a) is and (b) will be of that partner relationship.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We have no specific definition of a delivery partner, however, we will be engaging with Police Scotland through the local community planning partnerships and will work with them and all other relevant public and third sector organisations to ensure awareness …
5 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether applications for the Best Start Grant baby and pregnancy payments will be provided to new mothers in hospital.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We are actively working with health boards to ensure that promotion of the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment is embedded in their maternity and health visiting pathways and in relevant publications such as "Ready Steady Baby". Health boards are bes…
5 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what application methods have been made available for applications for Best Start Grant baby and pregnancy payments.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We have sought to develop accessible application processes for the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, to meet the needs of different groups. Applicants have a choice of application routes and can apply on the phone, online (including on a mobile pho…
4 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government further to the answers to questions S5W-18779 and S5W-18780 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 27 September 2018, how the Budget will take account of this debt.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Under the Consolidated Budgeting Rules that the Scottish Government is required to follow there is no net impact on the Scottish Budget as a result of the transfer of Carer’s Allowance debt.
3 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Social Security Scotland plans to use the DWP Verify Earnings and Pensions service.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The SG’s consultation on the Fraud Code of Practice has recently closed and is now being analysed. No decisions have been taken on the practical implementation of this and the systems that may be used.
1 Dec 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-19402 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 November 2018, what the response from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was; whether it will publish the correspondence; whether the response from the Secretary of State specified how many carers allow…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions replied that “I understand my officials are taking these matters forward and I have asked them to liaise with yours as appropriate.” No further information was provided in the letter regarding the numbers of people…