Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any assessment of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.

The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 is an Act of the Scottish Parliament and established a high-level enabling framework for social security in Scotland. This followed the devolution of certain aspects of the social security to the Scottish Government under the Scotland Act 2016. Its provisions are the responsibility of the Scottish Government, and it is not for the UK Government to make an assessment of matters which are devolved.

However, the UK Government is working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure a safe and secure transition to the new benefits being introduced, which will replace Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments. Severe Disablement Allowance will also become a matter for the Scottish Government. Sure Start maternity grants and funeral expense payments have already been replaced with Scottish provision. The Act also provides for completely new benefits with no equivalent in England and Wales. The Scottish benefits will be delivered by Social Security Scotland.