S6W-28002

Asked by: Regan, Ash (Alba Party - Edinburgh Eastern)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27604 by Tom Arthur on 28 May 2024, when its (a) ministers and (b) officials last met with the UK (i) Department for Business and Trade, (ii) Department for Work and Pensions and (iii) Government to discuss Scotland's long-term labour market strategy, and what the outcomes were of any such meetings.

Answered by Forbes, Kate

Ministers and officials have regular engagement with the UK Government on labour market matters.

Scottish Government officials meet regularly with Department for Work and Pensions officials from Job Centre Plus to discuss a range of operational and strategic issues as we collectively shape the approach to employability delivery in Scotland. Scottish Government and DWP officials also attend the Access to Work Stakeholder Forum, which last met on 8 May 2024 and discussed research undertaken by Inclusion Scotland on people’s lived experience of using Access to Work.

A notable example of recent constructive engagement was collaborative work with DWP to develop messaging for employers to promote the benefits of Fair Work. The most recent quarterly meeting between Scottish Government officials and the Department for Business and Trade focussed on new Flexible Working legislation.

We continue to call for employment powers to be devolved. Securing the full range of powers in relation to employment will enable the Scottish Parliament to fully implement policies that will best meet Scotland’s distinct needs. These powers would enable us to create fairer workplaces, enhance workers’ rights in Scotland and help shift the curve on poverty and deliver upon our shared ambition for a fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland.