Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 44
44
The DWP explained their reading of the situation in regards to the Scottish Government rolling...
Conclusion
The DWP explained their reading of the situation in regards to the Scottish Government rolling out the Scottish Child Payment to children older than six years old. The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work noted that the data necessary for this roll out was proving difficult to supply because the DWP ‘don’t have it.’111 The DWP officials went on to explain that for the data necessary for the Scottish Child Payment for children under the age of six, the DWP transferred data that was used by the UK Government to administer maternity grants to the Scottish Government so they could deliver their Best Start Grant benefit. The Scottish Government then used the same data to set up the Scottish Child Payment for children aged under six years old.112
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
DWP considers fully and responds to all data sharing requests from the Scottish Government. It has established a dedicated Scottish Devolution Data Sharing Board, which brings together DWP experts to fully consider any requests and ensure that responses are managed consistently and efficiently. This Board considers any legal constraints and how these could be mitigated, ensuring there is protection of claimants’ rights, clarity of purpose, proportionality of data shared, and a consideration of whether DWP is the most appropriate source for the highest quality, most up-to- date data available. DWP is already working with the Scottish Government to ensure a clearer understanding of data processes. To do this, the Chief Data Officers of DWP and the Scottish Government have previously established a regular forum to address all aspects of sharing data across the two organisations. DWP’s Data Sharing Policy Statement has been shared with the Scottish Government to enable clear understanding between both organisations, and to ensure consistency. Each data sharing request must be examined, and the data decisions must be made and discharged by DWP, as the relevant Data Controller, in line with its legal accountabilities.