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| Scottish government to set up new welfare delivery agency | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish government is to set up a new agency to deliver social security payments when new powers are devolved. | |
| Holyrood is to be given control over 11 benefits - including support for carers and those with disabilities - under the Scotland Bill. | Holyrood is to be given control over 11 benefits - including support for carers and those with disabilities - under the Scotland Bill. |
| It will also be given the ability to top-up existing payments and create new benefits. | It will also be given the ability to top-up existing payments and create new benefits. |
| Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil will lead a Holyrood debate on the new welfare powers on Tuesday afternoon. | Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil will lead a Holyrood debate on the new welfare powers on Tuesday afternoon. |
| The new devolved benefits, which are said to be worth about £2.7bn every year, include the Carer's Allowance and benefits for the disabled such as the Disability Living Allowance. | |
| Mr Neil said the devolved benefits would be run by a new Scottish welfare agency, and has promised that payments will be made in full and on time. | |
| He said at the weekend that he wants to remove the stigma attached to claiming benefits, and to show that social security can be "fairer, tackle inequalities, and protect and support the vulnerable in our society." | He said at the weekend that he wants to remove the stigma attached to claiming benefits, and to show that social security can be "fairer, tackle inequalities, and protect and support the vulnerable in our society." |
| Speaking ahead of the Holyrood debate, Mr Neil said the new powers represented a "real opportunity to transform the service people receive". | |
| He said: "Our new Scottish social security agency will be the flagship organisation that oversees the delivery of benefits in Scotland. | |
| "It will be underpinned by our commitment to principles that will treat people with dignity and respect. We want to take a fairer approach to social security that tackles inequalities. | |
| "Our immediate priority is to make sure there is a smooth transfer of these benefits and that households continue to receive them on time and in the right amount." | |
| 'Benefits stampede' | |
| The Scottish government has already confirmed it will increase Carer's Allowance to the same rate as Jobseeker's Allowance once it receives the powers, and that the so-called Bedroom Tax will be scrapped in Scotland. | The Scottish government has already confirmed it will increase Carer's Allowance to the same rate as Jobseeker's Allowance once it receives the powers, and that the so-called Bedroom Tax will be scrapped in Scotland. |
| On Monday, Scottish Labour unveiled its own welfare proposals, with party leader Kezia Dugdale pledging to "grasp with both hands" the possibilities provided by the new powers. | On Monday, Scottish Labour unveiled its own welfare proposals, with party leader Kezia Dugdale pledging to "grasp with both hands" the possibilities provided by the new powers. |
| Her proposals included: | Her proposals included: |
| Ms Dugdale said that the Scottish Parliament's new powers meant the election on 5 May would be about "tax and spend" issues rather than the constitution. | Ms Dugdale said that the Scottish Parliament's new powers meant the election on 5 May would be about "tax and spend" issues rather than the constitution. |
| But the Scottish Conservatives have warned against creating a "benefits stampede" when the new powers come into effect. | But the Scottish Conservatives have warned against creating a "benefits stampede" when the new powers come into effect. |
| Party leader Ruth Davidson - who supports increasing the Carers' Allowance - said the welfare system should provide a safety net, but one which also helps people back into work, which she said was always the best route out of poverty. | Party leader Ruth Davidson - who supports increasing the Carers' Allowance - said the welfare system should provide a safety net, but one which also helps people back into work, which she said was always the best route out of poverty. |
| And she said all political parties need to be sure there is a fair balance between helping people who support, as well as the taxpayers who fund it. | And she said all political parties need to be sure there is a fair balance between helping people who support, as well as the taxpayers who fund it. |
| Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie told his party's spring conference on Friday that he would put forward a "big, bold agenda" for change in the run-up to the election on 5 May. | Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie told his party's spring conference on Friday that he would put forward a "big, bold agenda" for change in the run-up to the election on 5 May. |
| He pledged the ensure the country was "fit for the future" by raising £475m for education by increasing the income tax rate in Scotland by 1p. | He pledged the ensure the country was "fit for the future" by raising £475m for education by increasing the income tax rate in Scotland by 1p. |
| The Lib Dems also want more NHS funds to go to GPs in a bid to address recruitment issues, and say councils should have the power to set local taxation. | The Lib Dems also want more NHS funds to go to GPs in a bid to address recruitment issues, and say councils should have the power to set local taxation. |