Holyrood committee hits out at UK Government over attendance

A Holyrood committee has expressed dismay at a lack of appearances from UK ministers.

In a letter to Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey, Holyrood’s Social Security Committee convener Bob Doris extended an invitation to appear before the committee.

Mr Doris also chided the cabinet minister, saying three similar invitations since the beginning of this year were not acknowledged by her or her department.

According to the convener, the last time a minister appeared before the committee was more than two years ago.

In the letter, Mr Doris said: “This year alone, I have invited you to attend the committee in person or virtually on three separate occasions, yet I have received no form of acknowledgement. I find this extremely disappointing.

“Our committee members wish to be clear that we find it entirely unacceptable that it has been over two years since a UK minister has been in attendance.

“This has also included the failure of UK Government minsters to give evidence to various committee inquiries.”

Mr Doris stressed the importance of close working between the governments and parliaments of Scotland and the whole of the UK, due to social security responsibilities being split between the two legislatures.

He added: “As we know, social security is an area of split-competency, with several interdependencies and shared interests.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised this, demonstrating that both the Scottish and UK governments are required to deliver their respective elements of social security to provide support to Scottish claimants.”