Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Between Scottish Ministers (SM) and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (SSWP) on joint working arrangements

2. Scope

2.1. The scope of the devolved Social Security and Employment Services Programmes and, as such, this MoU is framed by the relevant provisions of the Scotland Act 2016.

2.2. The scope of the Social Security Programme covers Part 3 of the Scotland 2016 Act, section 22 through to, and including, section 30, with the exception of section 27, Welfare Foods. The scope of the Employment Services Programme covers Part 3 of the Scotland 2016 Act, section 31. Sections 32 to 35 of the Act make general provisions applicable to both programmes.

2.3. In addition, the Smith Commission noted that SM and SSWP could agree a partnership for DWP to deliver some or all of the social security benefits and schemes on SM's behalf. Social Security Scotland, is responsible for administering the devolved benefits as they come on stream. Operational delivery arrangements for the devolved benefits, and the extent to which, in the shorter or longer term, DWP may be involved in aspects of their delivery will be discussed and agreed as they go live.