Social security IT contract awarded

A two-year contract to build the first phase of Scotland’s new social security IT system has been awarded to IBM UK Ltd.

The £8.3 million contract will support the implementation of two new Scottish Government benefits - Best Start Grant and Funeral Expense Assistance. These will be delivered by Scotland’s new social security agency by summer 2019. The contract includes provision for up to two further benefits to be included within the scope once the timeline for delivery is clear.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said:

“Transferring the newly devolved benefits to Scotland safely and securely is our number one priority and the award of this contract marks another major step in that work.

“Our new social security system will be the largest, most complex programme of change since devolution.

“From the very beginning of this process we have been clear that our social security system will be developed in partnership with people who have personal experience of the current benefits system and the IT system is no different.

“This new service will be directly shaped by the needs and views of the people who will use it, as will all of our Scottish social security system.”

Background

This is the first of a number of procurement exercises for digital services. IT spend over the course of the programme is estimated at £190 million.

More information on the creation of Scotland’s social security system is available online.

You can follow the Scottish Government’s social security directorate on twitter @ ScotGovSocSec