Question tweeted from Engender, external:

Will you pay Universal Credit directly to individuals instead of to one member in the household?

Image source, Engender

Background:

Engender is Scotland’s feminist organisation and has a vision for a Scotland in which women and men have equal opportunities in life, equal access to resources and power, and are equally safe and secure from harm.

Scotland's new social security system should ensure women's equality, but current plans around Universal Credit payments would be damaging for women.

Our Q&A with the Social Security Secretary Angela Constance begins.

A single mother has told the BBC she fears losing her home, on the day the new benefits cap is introduced, on 7 November.

Emma Bradley, who has four children, including a baby, said she could be left £76 a week short on her rent unless she finds work.

The cap - which limits the income households receive in certain benefits - has been reduced from £26,000 a year to £20,000 a year outside London.

The government says the cap is "a clear incentive to move into a job".

Image source, LUKASSEK

Holyrood ministers are considering scrapping the use of the word "benefits" when they take charge of parts of the social security system.

Responsibility for ill health and disability benefits is being devolved to Holyrood.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said there was "value in looking at at whether we continue to use the word 'benefits'" when that happens.

A consultation on how devolved benefits should be delivered, external was launched in July.

In the very near future, the Scottish government will be able to create new benefits in devolved areas, such as health and education.

They will also be able to top-up existing payments including for Universal Credit, Tax Credits and Child Benefit.

Image source, Getty Images

While the majority of welfare payments will remain with Westminster, Holyrood will have control over more than 15% (£2.7bn) of social security spending.

Ms Constance, who is Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, has wide-ranging responsibilities including social security measures against poverty, disabilities, older people, tackling inequalities and social justice.

The benefits being devolved are:

• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Industrial Injuries Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance  

Image source, bbc

• Weather Payment
• Funeral Payment
• Sure Start Maternity Grant
• Winter Fuel Payment 
• Other Discretionary Housing Payments 

The current value of benefits to be devolved is around £2.7bn, which accounts for around 15% of current benefit spend in Scotland.

A range of other powers will also be devolved: 

• An expanded power to provide Discretionary Payments and Assistance 
• The power to top-up reserved benefits 
• The power to create other new social security benefits (other than pensions) in areas not otherwise connected with reserved matters 

Image source, bbc

• The power to legislate for Welfare Foods 
• Scottish Ministers will have powers to vary the housing cost element of Universal Credit for rented accommodation and change payment arrangements for Universal Credit
• The Scottish Parliament will also have powers over support for unemployed people through employment programmes  

MSPs took some responsibility for welfare for the first time when Holyrood returned from its summer break.

The UK government laid regulations in parliament on Thursday which devolved some of the powers to MSPs on  5 September.

It means MSPs are now able to create new benefits in devolved areas.

They can also be able to top-up existing payments such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits and Child Benefit.

Image source, bbc

The new powers mean Scotland can make changes to the timings of payments for Universal Credit and alter employment support as well.

The move was agreed in the Scotland Act 2016, external which was passed in March.

SNP ministers are currently scheduled to bring forward a Social Security Bill, which will establish a new welfare agency for Scotland, during the 2016-17 parliamentary session.

The new benefits for Holyrood will not be introduced immediately. When MSPs return to work they will begin the process of legislating for the new powers. So it will take a while before it all comes to fruition.  

Image source, PA

Good morning and welcome to BBC Scotland's Q&A with Social Security Secretary Angela Constance.

BBC Scotland's online audience have sent in their questions and vital third sector organisations will also tweet theirs for the minister.