Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 2 November 2022, Official Report, column 864, on discretionary funding supplied to the Scottish Government through the Barnett formula, how many cost of living payments were made through that discretionary funding.

DWP has made an estimated 689,000 means-tested Cost of Living Payments to households in Scotland and 607,000 Disability Cost of Living Payments to individuals in Scotland. The Cost of Living Payments are not funded through the Barnett formula, but rather, are funded directly by the UK Government.

For those not eligible for the Cost of Living Payment, or who require further support, the Government is providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials.

This includes £421 million which is being provided in England to extend the Household Support Fund from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.

The Household Support Fund guidance asks Local Authorities to provide support to those most in need. In particular the guidance asks Local Authorities to consider those who may not be eligible for the other support government has recently made available but who are nevertheless in need.

The Barnett formula applies in the usual way for this additional funding in England. This means that the devolved administrations will be receiving £79m of the additional £500m (£41m for the Scottish Government, £25m for the Welsh Government and £14m for Northern Ireland Executive).

It is for the devolved administrations to decide how to spend this additional funding.