Carer's Allowance: agency agreement

3. Duration

3.1 The Initial Agreement commenced on 3 September 2018 immediately upon transfer of executive competence for Carer's Allowance to the Scottish Ministers, in accordance with the Scotland Act 2016 (Transitional) Regulations 2017 – S.I. 2017/444. The Secretary of State has, since that date, performed the specified functions related to the delivery of Carer's Allowance to people resident in Scotland in accordance with the Initial Agreement (including any variations agreed between the parties).

3.2 This Agreement replaces the Initial Agreement. It shall be effective from and including 1 January 2023 and, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, will remain effective up to and including 31 March 2025 ('the Term').

3.3 This Agreement may be varied by mutual written agreement of both parties at any time during the Term. Both Parties will review this Agreement twelve (12) months after the Commencement Date and set out any changes in a revised Agreement.

3.4 No less than twelve (12) months before the end of the Term, DWP and the Scottish Ministers will have agreed a case transfer plan for the orderly transfer of all existing claims for Carer's Allowance for claimants resident in Scotland from DWP to the Scottish Ministers or, in practice, Social Security Scotland which will deliver the services for the Scottish Ministers. This case transfer plan must provide for all case transfers to have been completed at least three months prior to the end of the Term. No less than twelve (12) months before the end of the Term, DWP and the Scottish Ministers will have also agreed a business transition plan providing for the orderly transition of any other functions exercised under this Agreement from DWP to the Scottish Ministers and an orderly exit, at the end of the Term, from the agency arrangements set out in this Agreement 3.5 If either party wishes to terminate this Agreement before the end of the Term, a period of twelve (12) months' written notice will be given to the other party.