§ 9. Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)What discussions she has had with local authorities about the delivery of benefits in Scotland. [42936]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security (Mr. Keith Bradley)As part of our active modern service programme, officials have met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss a number of ways in which closer working between the Benefits Agency and Scottish local authorities can improve services to customers and help to tackle fraud.
§ Mr. DalyellLocal officers of the Department have worked extremely well and satisfactorily in recent years with the local authorities, but, with the unbundling of the United Kingdom and the dewiring of the whole tax system—as the Minister will have found on his recent welcome visit to Edinburgh—are not certain problems posed by devolution that should be discussed early by the directors of social work?
§ Mr. BradleyI thank my hon. Friend for that question. Clearly, the discussions will continue, but, on my recent visit to Edinburgh, where I spoke at a conference with staff from the Benefits Agency and took the opportunity to meet representatives of other agencies, it was clear that the good working relationships would continue. Under active modern service, we will develop new initiatives to ensure a better service for all customers in Scotland.
§ Mr. John Swinney (North Tayside)Bearing in mind the success of some local authorities in boosting the take-up of benefits, does the Minister envisage any role for the Scottish Parliament in drawing together the work of those local authorities and in the discussions with the Department, so that those in Scotland who are entitled to benefits receive sufficient information and advice to ensure that they get them?
§ Mr. BradleyI am sure that the hon. Gentleman will ensure that that item is on the agenda of the Scottish Parliament when it is established.