Talks Over Welfare Powers

There are calls for 'early progress' to be made to allow Holyrood to scrap the bedroom tax.

The charge affects affects approximately 81, 000 Scots, including 6, 000 people in Fife.

This week Scottish Ministers will call on the UK Government to provide further clarity and greater pace on the devolution of a range of new welfare powers, set out by the Smith Commission.

Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said:

"This forum has been agreed to get the transfer of welfare powers right and ensure UK legislation is clear, fit for purpose and reflects the spirit and intention of the Smith Agreement. Above all, it must give us the tools to help people on benefits.

"I want to abolish the 'bedroom tax' as soon as possible. Reflecting significant concerns across Scotland, I also believe that the roll out of new Personal Independence Payments should be stopped and we should consider options for the future of disability benefits in Scotland, as they will be devolved in the near future. More generally, the UK Government should not take decisions on areas identified for further devolution without the Scottish Government’s agreement.

"I want to use the administrative flexibilities offered around Universal Credit to do things differently, more quickly and on Scotland’s own terms. In consultation with our partners, I want to consider paying housing costs direct to landlords and changing how frequently benefits are paid. I also expect to receive further clarity on the timescales for devolution of employment services, in particular the Work Programme.

"Through the Ministerial Group, we will work constructively with the UK Government to transfer these powers to Scotland smoothly. The UK Government must give us the clarity we need in all of these areas, before the pre-election period, to get the best deal for the people of Scotland."

Scottish Labour also want job creating powers handed over to Holyrood immediately.

The issue will be raised in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Edinburgh South Labour MP Ian Murray said:

"Labour will send our Home Rule Bill to Parliament within 100 days of forming the next Government, to pass more powers over jobs, welfare and tax to Scotland. But this week we need all of Scotland's MPs to get behind this Bill to get job creating powers to Scotland now. We all signed up to devolve these powers in the Smith Agreement. Instead of waiting until after the election, it’s time to pass these powers now. Young unemployed people in Scotland can’t wait any longer.

"When it is published next week MPs from all parties should back this Bill to get young Scots back into work.

"The Tory's Work Programme has failed Scotland. Only 1 in 5 people end up in a job at the end of the programme, and Scotland has a lower success rate than any English region. We need to take these powers and transfer them to communities across Scotland so we can use to get our young people back to work."