Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 46
46
The DWP concluded on this point that they understand that the Scottish Government is working...
Conclusion
The DWP concluded on this point that they understand that the Scottish Government is working with ‘very good intentions’116 to try to deliver supportive welfare policies to people in Scotland but the UK Government ‘worry that things are announced before they [Scottish Government] have worked through the details’ of policies.117 Despite this 109 Q185 110 Q187 111 Q185 112 Q185 113 Q185 114 Q185 115 Q177 116 Q187 117 Q177 24 Welfare policy in Scotland the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work did highlight the UK Government’s enthusiasm for intergovernmental work on welfare issues and with the DWP there is ‘never a situation where we will not share data where we can’118 with the Scottish Government.
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.