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Forum Home  →  Discussion  →  Access to justice and advice sector issues  →  Thread

Devolved benefits in Scotland and ‘split competence’

Daphne
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There has been some reporting in the press this week that -

The UK government may continue to administer some benefits for several years after legislative control over them is passed to Holyrood.

Power over 11 benefits is being devolved, but the UK government could continue to oversee delivery of some until 2020 to “minimise risk”.

The Scottish and UK governments are examining a “split competency” approach for the new devolved benefits, which are worth about £2.7bn. This would see Holyrood given legislative powers over a series benefits from June 2017, but not over delivery of some of them until April 2020.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37976223

Apparently Nicola Sturgeon was questioned by the Scottish Parliament Conveners’ Group on Wednesday and the Herald Scotland is reporting that the delay is because of IT fears -

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/14909747.Fear_of_IT_disaster_behind_welfare_powers_lag__says_Nicola_Sturgeon/

Not found minutes to the meeting yet and wondering if anyone (particularly in Scotland) knows more?

hkrishna
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Welfare rights worker - CPAG in Scotland, Glasgow

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Our John Dickie comments here: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/15/devolution-scottish-welfare-being-used-political-football

A further debate about all this in Holyrood next week apparently.

Daphne
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Thanks Henri - will look out for the debate next week…

Daphne
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Angela Constance - Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities - has written to convener of Social Security Committee explaining ‘split competence’ approach -

the implementation process for our devolved, Scottish social security system will require the Scottish Parliament to hold legislative competence for a while before we have the responsibility for delivery, as will need time to have the mechanisms, the delivery process and our agency up and running.

 

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