Mark Griffin

10 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13138 by Jeane Freeman on 19 December 2017, whether the Framework Document has been finalised.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Framework Document has not yet been finalised. It is expected to be finalised by Summer 2018. The Framework Document once finalised will set out how the agency will operate and its relationship with the Scottish Government. It will describe the financial…

10 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13223 by Jeane Freeman on 18 December 2017, whether the three-month bus pass for people aged 16 to 24 who have been unemployed for six months or more requires legislative change.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We are currently exploring the legislative options for delivery of the Job Grant in Scotland. Once that is established, we will consider further the legislative requirements to implement the transport element of the Grant.

9 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided for a welfare advice service facilitator in (a) 2017-18 and (b) 2018-19.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: In October 2017, the Scottish Government provided £12,250 funding for a six month part-time welfare advice service facilitator to support the development of embedding Welfare Advice Services in Health and Social Care settings, with a particular focus on gener…

8 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) calls and (b) enquiries from internet users were received by Citizens Advice Scotland during the autumn 2017 social security benefit uptake campaign, and how many referrals to bureaux were made.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The benefit uptake activity carried out in autumn 2017 is currently being evaluated.

8 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total financial gain was for clients who contacted Citizens Advice Scotland during the autumn 2017 social security benefit uptake campaign.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The benefit uptake activity carried out in autumn 2017 is currently being evaluated.

21 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13259 by John Swinney on 19 December 2017, whether ministers plan to make changes to the School Transport Guidance, which is issued to local authorities, regarding the statutory walking distance to school.

Answer · John Swinney: 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 fr…

13 Dec 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set targets for income maximisation and help reduce the overall amount of benefits that go unclaimed.

12 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether short-term assistance will be paid automatically on receipt of a request for a re-determination.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: 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…

11 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the time limit for requesting a backpayment of Scottish social security assistance will be.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: 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 …

11 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the current budgetary process precludes a legal guarantee uprating of Scottish social security assistance.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: 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 requi…

6 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review its School Transport Guidance Circular.

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

5 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10602 by Jeane Freeman on 1 September 2017 and the minister's subsequent letter to the Social Security Committee on 22 November 2017, when it will provide the three month bus pass to people aged 16 to 24 who have been unemployed for six months or mo…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government remains committed to introducing the Job Grant (which comprises of a cash payment and a three month bus pass) for young people aged 16 -24 who have been unemployed for 6 months or more. We are currently exploring the best legislative o…

5 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its social security agency has considered partnerships with credit unions to assist people who are unbanked and claim assistance.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13191 on 19 December 2017. 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…

5 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the Scottish poverty premium.

Answer · Angela Constance: 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 proportio…

5 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration its social security agency has made regarding the payment of assistance to people who are unbanked.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is fully committed to providing an alternative payment solution to those with no access to a bank account. Work is currently underway to explore what alternative payment options are available that will meet individuals’ needs.

5 Dec 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to create targets with specific deadlines to reduce the disability employment gap.

5 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what policy action it took to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe and I hosted a discussion with disabled people and their organisations in the Scottish Parliament. Disabled people were able to express t…

5 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland regarding taking legal action in relation to universal credit.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: There has been no formal approach to the Scottish Government by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner about taking legal action in relation to Universal Credit. However, the Commissioner had an introductory meeting with Maree Todd, Minister for Childca…

4 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government at what rate will Winter Fuel Payments be made to families with disabled children on the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: 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,…

4 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the commitment to extend Winter Fuel Payments to families with disabled children on the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance will be dependant on the higher rate of the care component, mobility component, either component or both components.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: 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 r…

4 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations in Contact's report, Caring More Than Most.

Answer · Maree Todd: 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 wi…

4 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings in Contact's report, Caring More Than Most, what provision it will make to extend winter fuel payments to families with severely disabled children in (a) 2017-18 and (b) 2018-19.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: 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 familie…

30 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has (a) requested and (b) received from the Department for Work and Pensions regarding how many people have requested (i) twice-monthly and (ii) direct payments for rent and services under the Universal Credit (Claims and Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Universal Credit choices were made available to new claims in full service areas from 4 October. Eligible people are offered the new choices in the second assessment period, and therefore 16 November was the first date, following their introducti…

30 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which councils it is still to meet regarding co-locating services for devolved social security.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Scottish Government officials have met with all Local Authorities regarding devolved social security and how we will work together to ensure a joined-up, local service in line with our operating model for the agency.

30 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether principle (d) in the Social Security (Scotland) Bill will allow agency staff to provide people with one-to-one support and help them understand what reserved benefits they are entitled to.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Principle (d) - if amended in the manner the Scottish Government intends - will place a legal duty on Scottish Ministers to ensure that people are given what they are entitled to under the Scottish system. It would be inappropriate to extend such a legal duty…

30 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its staff (a) are and (b) will be entitled to provide people with one-to-one support and help them understand what reserved benefits they are entitled to.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Staff within the new social security agency will be entitled to provide people with one-to-one support. This will be delivered through the pre-claims advice and support service will provide. Additionally staff will help people to understand what further suppo…

30 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the social security agency Framework Document detailing the delegations to accountable officers will be published.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Framework Document being signed gives effect to the delegations to an agency accountable officer. This process effectively brings the agency into existence. The Framework Document will be signed on the date the first form of assistance begins payment. The…

28 Nov 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many and what proportion of the IBM UK staff involved with the Low Income Benefits Agile Service Design are disabled.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Scottish Government is committed to the delivery of high quality public services, through fair work practices. This includes promoting equality of opportunity and developing a workforce which reflec…

24 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Parliament scheduling the second reading of the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill on 23 February 2018, by what date it will lodge its Organ and Tissue Donation Bill.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The First Minister confirmed in the 2017-18 Programme for Government that legislation for a soft opt out system of organ and tissue donation will be introduced during this Parliamentary year. The Scottish Government is committed to introducing a workable sof…

23 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress its is making on its commitment as part of the Developing the Young Workforce implementation plan to deliver (a) a “new work experience model for young disabled people introduced and improved approach to careers services for young disabled people implemented [in 2016-17]" a…

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: In September 2015 Education Scotland published new quality standards to which underpin how work placements are provided in school. These standards relate specifically to career education, through an improved approach to careers services, the Career Education …