Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 142
142
Polly Jones from The Trussell Trust told us that: There are quite complicated discussions and...
Conclusion
Polly Jones from The Trussell Trust told us that: There are quite complicated discussions and arrangements between DWP and Scottish Government on how this is managed and how many minutes a work coach can spend talking about Scottish Choices in the second assessment interview.348 They recommend that instead: ‘It would be much more straightforward to be able to present the system [Scottish Choices] in the first place [interview]’349 and for the claimant to be able to review their position at a later point to ensure that the Scottish Choices were supporting their circumstances as best as possible.350 The Scottish Government was also concerned that uptake of Scottish Choices may be lower than expected because the DWP was reluctant for ‘Scottish Choices to be discussed right at the start of a Universal Credit journey.’351
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Scottish Government’s current policy is to offer Scottish Choices in the second assessment period. This allows time, in the first assessment period, to consider DWP Alternative Payment Arrangement, for more frequent payments and managed payments to landlords to protect vulnerable people who are at risk of not paying their rent. Social landlords are also able to request a DWP Alternative Payment Arrangement from day one, if they believe their tenants are vulnerable. Scottish Choices do not replace the need for DWP Alternative Payment Arrangements. Claimants can opt in or out of a Scottish Choice at any time. Only DWP agents can review Alternative Payment Arrangements, ensuring housing costs continue to be paid directly to the landlord, for those who may otherwise choose not to pay them.