Social security agency spends thousands on travel despite national roll-out delays

Tens of thousands of pounds has been spent in just six months by Scotland’s new social security agency to pay for staff travel, according to official figures.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Scottish Conservatives shows that between 1 September last year and 28 February, a total of £72,650 was spent by Social Security Scotland to cover travel costs. It includes a spend of £45,508 on rail travel, £13,833 on hired or leased vehicles, and £5,141 on air travel. Additionally, £5,001 was spent under a category including motor mileage, with £2,194 filed under miscellaneous travel and £973 spent on travel by taxi.

Scottish Conservative MSP Michelle Ballantyne described the spend as “extraordinary”.

Ms Ballantyne said: “This is an extraordinary large amount to spend on travel in such a short period of time.

“Social Security Scotland hasn’t even started administering any benefits yet they are spending tens of thousands of pounds on staff transport ... you have to question why this amount is so high.”

A spokeswoman for Social Security Scotland said: “We are building a new national public service and face-to-face communication with local authorities, stakeholders and most importantly the public is necessary.”