You appear to have JavaScript disabled in your browser settings. You may find some parts of this website do not work properly without it enabled.

Welfare policy in Scotland

Inquiry

The inquiry will examine the effect of welfare policies on the lives of claimants and poverty and inequality levels more broadly in Scotland.

It will:

assess the effectiveness of Scottish Choices which provide a unique degree of flexibility for those on Universal Credit in Scotland
explore the consequences of Universal Credit policies specific to Scotland, including; inaccessibility in rural areas, and the issue of debt spiralling for those taking advanced payments
understand how effective cooperation has been between the UK and Scottish Governments on the devolution of new welfare powers to Scotland
evaluate the likely long-term impacts of coronavirus on the devolution of welfare

Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry

Read a summary of our key recommendations

Work news

UK and Scottish governments commit to ongoing work on welfare policy

Scottish Affairs Committee publish UK and Scottish governments responses

19 November 2021

Devolution of welfare working well but good working relationship is crucial

Scottish Affairs Committee publishes report on welfare policy in Scotland

DWP Ministers face questions on data-sharing issue that could delay Scottish benefit rollout

Scottish Affairs Committee to question Department of Work and Pensions Ministers Will Quince and Justin Tomlinson

Social Security Secretary Sommerville on UK-Scotland welfare co-operation

Committee to question the Scottish Government’s Social Security Secretary on the effectiveness of relations with the Department of Work and Pensions in delivering on Edinburgh’s ambition to reduce levels of poverty

Welfare in Scotland: Committee to question Social service providers on accessing social security and experience of poverty

Questions will focus on poverty reduction measures, the £20 uplift in Universal Credit and joint UK-Scotland working on social security

8 February 2021

MPs to consider experiences of Universal Credit and welfare reform in Scotland

How have people in Scotland been affected by the roll-out of Universal Credit and welfare reforms?

15 January 2021

Social security in Scotland scrutinised

The Scottish Affairs Committee will hear from social security experts about the problems that people in Scotland face as they encounter the benefits system.

11 December 2020

MPs seek views on benefits and allowances

Committee launches a survey asking people about their experience with the benefits system

7 December 2020

Specialist Adviser vacancy for welfare policy in Scotland inquiry

Scottish Affairs Committee invites applications from individuals for the role of Specialist Adviser

15 October 2020

MPs to probe welfare in Scotland

Committee launches its inquiry into the impact of welfare reform in Scotland

14 October 2020

Related information

Scottish Government, 2019 Annual Report on Welfare Reform

Contact us

Email: scotaffcom@parliament.uk
Phone: 020 7219 1810 (general enquiries) | hocmediacommittees@parliament.uk - 0207 219 8335 (media inquiries)