Committees

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

15 March 2021

Department of Work and Pensions Ministers Will Quince and Justin Tomlinson will appear before the Scottish Affairs Committee to give evidence on welfare policy, including Universal Credit and devolution of benefits, and their impacts in Scotland.

Witnesses

Thursday 18 March

At 11.30am

  • Will Quince MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Welfare Delivery)
  • Justin Tomlinson MP, Minister of State (Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work)
  • Margarita Morrison, Area Director, Work and Health Services Scotland, Department of Work and Pensions
  • Andrew Latto, Deputy Director, Devolution, Pensioner Benefits and Carer’s Allowance, Policy Group, Department of Work and Pensions

Purpose of the session

In the previous session of the welfare policy in Scotland inquiry, the Committee heard that the full rollout of a key benefit targeting child poverty could be delayed by competing interpretations of GDPR rules holding-up data sharing between the DWP and the Scottish Government. At the 11 March hearing, Scottish Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville told MPs that the Scotland "cannot deliver the Scottish Child Payment for six to 16-year-olds without data from the DWP". The scheme is already operating for children under six.

Mr Quince and Mr Tomlinson are expected to be questioned by members of the Committee on:

  • Effectiveness of intergovernmental cooperation on welfare, including considering ideological differences;
  • challenges and impact of and solutions to data sharing issues;
  • Universal Credit, including £20 uplift and issues with 5-week wait; and
  • help with access to the welfare system.

Further information

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