Recommendation 26

Many commentators highlighted how the process of the devolution of welfare powers to Scotland has worked well. In their written evidence the Child Poverty Action Group said that the ‘governments appear to have mostly worked well together’53 whilst The Poverty Alliance note that ‘cooperation has been effective’ between the governments. They cite the ‘smooth delivery of Carer’s Allowance Supplement’,54 a Scottish Government benefit available to people in Scotland who receive Carer’s Allowance, as an example of where the governments have co-operated effectively to help claimants in Scotland. Suzanne Lavelle of the Southside Housing Association told us that the working relationship between the governments was important and that collaboration was necessary because ‘at the end of the day, in effect there is a person who is depending on them for that payment.’55