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Scottish Government officials have had regular discussions with their DWP counterparts about a range of issues relating to Carer benefits including the recovery of overpayments. Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People wrote to the UK Government Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 9 May 2019 to request that the individual circumstances of those who had incurred overpayments should be taken into account and no-one placed into hardship as a result or prosecuted as a result of a genuine error.

Information on the number of staff being used to develop policy on the income supplement and take forward the options appraisal is not available. This differs in teams across the organisation, and is dependent on business requirements and individual working patterns.

To date, discussions on the development of the income supplement have taken place at various stages at an official level, and these are ongoing as the policy continues to be developed.

The Scottish Government will continue to review relevant reserved disability benefit regulations, guidance and case law in formulating Disability Assistance. This will continue to involve relevant officials and, where appropriate, external stakeholders.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

The Scottish Government receives management information from the DWP under the terms of the Agency Agreement. The relevant section of the agency agreement can be found at:

During 2018-19 Social Security Scotland ensured the delivery of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and the Pregnancy and Baby Payment element of the Best Start Grant. Social Security Scotland was also working towards delivery of future benefits.

Social Security Scotland does not separate expenditure by benefit as many of the resources employed in delivery of benefits are shared and indivisible.

The spring revision to the Scottish Budget 2018-19 set Social Security Scotland’s running cost budget for the first seven months of operation at £16 million. The Agency’s 2018-19 outturn against budget will be confirmed through Social Security Scotland’s first Annual Report and Accounts, which will be subject to audit by Audit Scotland and are expected to be laid before Parliament in September 2019.

The Scottish Government will review relevant reserved disability benefit regulations, guidance and case law in formulating Disability Assistance regulations and guidance.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at .