The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendment and Transitional Provision) (Scotland) Regulations 2022: business and regulatory impact assessment

Implementation and delivery plan for The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendment and Transitional Provision) (Scotland) Regulations 2022

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017^[29] sets out child poverty reduction targets and the TCPDP^[30] commits to BSG, BSF and SCP as three of the measures to reach those targets. The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018^[31] provides the overarching framework to provide early years assistance in the form of BSG and SCP. BSF is not currently included in the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 and is delivered through the Welfare Foods (Best Start Foods) (Scotland) Regulations 2019,^[32] made under the Social Security Act 1988. The proposed amendments to the FFP will be implemented through the Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendment and Transitional Provision) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 using powers in the both the 2018 Act and the 1988 Act.

Between launching in December 2018 and 31 May 2022, we have authorised more than 233,000 Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods applications and £88 million has been paid to low income families.^[33]

SCP official statistics were released on 31 May 2022^[34] and provide an up-to-date analysis of benefit uptake. These statistics confirmed 157,755 applications were received from 9 November 2020 to 31 March 2022. A single application form can include all the children in the household thought to be eligible. These statistics show that over this time period, Social Security Scotland had processed 148,170 applications for SCP and of these 86% had been authorised. The statistics also show that as of March 2022 the total value of Scottish Child Payments issued to clients since the launch was £58.6 million.

The FFP are delivered by the Social Security Scotland, in collaboration with the wider Scottish Government and key stakeholders, through an application based process.

Since Spring 2021, BSG, SCP and BSF have been promoted as part of the overarching FFP campaign. This is a promotional marketing campaign focused on the package of support available to low income families, which includes the three BSG payments, BSF and SCP. This includes television, radio, print and digital advertising. The roll out of SCP to children aged between 6 and 15 will be included in the overarching FFP campaign.

Furthermore, a communications and engagement strategy has been developed ahead of the launch of the changes we are making to the FFP. This aims to ensure that families who are eligible, the third sector, local government, education sector and advice providers are aware of the changes, know how to apply and understand the eligibility criteria. Communications and engagement are tailored to make sure we are reaching seldom heard groups