PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Scotland Act 1998 (Agency Arrangements) (Specification) Order 2018 (11 September 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her Department's policy is on the length of time that the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 (Agency Arrangements) (Specification) Order 2018 will remain in place.

Asked by:
Ian Murray (Labour)

This Order allows for Agency Agreements to be put in place that enable the Department to continue to deliver devolved benefits to customers living in Scotland until the Scottish Government are able to take over delivery. The provisions in the Order itself will not come to an end, however any Agency Agreements covering the specific devolved benefits will be subject to the UK and Scottish Governments agreement and considered on a case by case basis, including the length of those agreements.

The first such Agency Agreement recently signed by the Department and the Scottish Government for the continued payment of Carer’s Allowance covers a period of two years. This Agreement may be varied, or the term of the Agreement extended, if the Department and the Scottish Government agree.

Answered by:
Lord Sharma (Conservative)
9 October 2018