Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what meetings (a) he and (b) officials of his Department have had with (a) the Scottish Trades Union Congress and (b) individual affiliated trades unions since he took office; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alister Jack - Secretary of State for Scotland
My officials and I regularly meet with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that Scotland has a voice in Westminster. The Government publishes a list of all ministerial meetings with external bodies on departmental business on a quarterly basis and is available at gov.uk.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to visit a food bank in the Glasgow South West constituency in October 2019; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alister Jack - Secretary of State for Scotland
Work is the most effective route out of poverty and this Government is committed to helping people find work through a wide-range of support, targeted to each individual’s personal circumstances. While food banks represent an impressive response by civil society and faith groups to support vulnerable people, we are also committed to providing a strong safety-net for those who need it; that is why this Government continues to spend over £95 billion a year on welfare benefits which includes a well-established system of hardship payments, benefit advances and budgeting loans as an additional safeguard for those who need them.
I currently have no plans to visit a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for Scotland in October 2019.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many staff were employed in his Department on (a) 20 December 2018 and (b) 23 June 2016.
Answered by David Mundell
The Office of the Secretary of Scotland does not hold staffing information at mid-point monthly dates; information is recorded at month end only.
On 30 June 2016, there were 67.0 FTE staff in post, and on 31 December 2018 there were 74.4 FTE staff in post.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the additional staff required by his Department in the event that the UK leaves the EU (a) with and (b) without a deal.
Answered by David Mundell
Work to prepare for a successful EU exit is a key priority for the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland. The Office was allocated additional EU exit funding to create three new posts for this financial year.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of staff in receipt of universal credit; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
The Office of the Secretary of Scotland does not hold information on the number or proportion of staff in receipt of universal credit. All staff that join do so on an assignment, loan or secondment from other government bodies, principally the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government, who remain the employers.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what meetings he or officials of his Department have had with (a) the Scottish Trades Union Congress and (b) individual affiliated trades unions since 1 January 2018.
Answered by David Mundell
I regularly meet with a wide range of stakeholders on a variety of issues to ensure that Scotland has a voice in Westminster. The Government publishes a list of all ministerial meetings with external bodies on departmental business on a quarterly basis and are available at gov.uk.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what meetings he or officials of his Department have had with (a) the Scottish Trade Union Congress and (b) individual affiliated trade unions since 1 January 2017.
Answered by David Mundell
I regularly meet with a wide range of stakeholders on a variety of issues to ensure that Scotland has a voice in Westminster. The Government publishes a list of all ministerial meetings with external bodies on departmental business on a quarterly basis and are available at gov.uk
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many equality impact assessments have been carried out in the last three years on public service reforms which impact on (a) departmental staff and (b) members of the public; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
Over the last three years the Scotland Office has had and continues to have due regard, as necessary, to the public sector equality duty in exercising its functions. The Equality Act does not require this due regard to take the form of an equality impact assessment, nor does it define an equality impact assessment, and the Scotland Office does not maintain a record of such assessments.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions have taken place between his Department and the Department for Work and Pensions on the proposed Jobcentre closures in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West on 14 December 2016, UINs 56910 and 56916.
In addition, for JobCentre Plus offices over three miles or 20 minutes away by public transport, DWP are carrying out local consultation prior to implementing any changes to help inform decisions about additional provision, such as outreach services. The consultation is available online and through the affected Jobcentres. This consultation was launched immediately after the announcements were made, and is open until 31 January. Staff will also advise customers on alternative Jobcentre locations, taking into account travel and access to the local labour market.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many meetings he has had in the last six months with (a) Scottish Trades Union Congress and (b) affiliated trade unions; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
Details of meetings with external organisations are published in quarterly returns which are available at gov.uk.