Summary

  • Finance Secretary Derek Mackay pledges a funding increase of £240m for local services

  • Opposition parties said the amount of cash going direct to councils will be cut.

  • The finance secretary does not change income tax rates or bands - but does not pass on the UK Treasury's tax cut for high earners

  • Mr Mackay reveals the draft budget for 2017-18

  • £120m for the education attainment fund, with the cash going directly to schools, a u-turn with the cash coming from central government and not councils

  1. Jobcentres consultation ongoingpublished at 09:44 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    Denise Horsfall from the DWPImage source, bbc

    Denise Horsfall from the DWP says the closures have been done with the distance staff have to travel to the remaining sites in mind.

    Ms Horsfall says there is still an ongoing consultation period.

  2. Jobcentre closurespublished at 09:39 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    Committee convener Sandra WhiteImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Committee convener Sandra White

    Committee convener Sandra White asks if there is a timetable for UC (Universal Credit) roll out in Scotland.

    Mr Couling says he is happy to share that information with the committee.

    Ms White asks about the Jobcentre closures.

    The DWP representative says of 712 Jobcentres in the UK, they all have schedules and the existing services must be kept going.

  3. DWP says more people are finding work due to Universal Creditpublished at 09:35 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    Mr Couling says the reform is about getting people into work.

    He says more people are finding work due to Universal Credit.

    The DWP representative says there has been a very encouraging start to Universal Credit.

  4. And we're off......published at 09:33 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    Neil Couling from the DWPImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Neil Couling from the DWP

    Neil Couling from the DWP gets us underway with an opening statement.

    Mr Couling says Universal Credit is a huge undertaking and the biggest thing since the creation of the welfare stat.

  5. And we're off....published at 09:30 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    Social Security Committee convener Sandra White introduces the witnesses

    • Neil Couling, Universal Credit Director General with the Department for Work and Pensions
    • Denise Horsfall, Scotland Work Services Director, Department for Work and Pensions
  6. Background: Unpaid benefits at record levelpublished at 09:30 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    A total of £1.7bn in benefits was not paid to those entitled to the money in 2015-16 owing to fraud and error, a new record rate of underpayment.

    An increase led to 1% of benefits being unpaid during the year, Department for Work and Pensions figures reveal.

    Family in the countryside

    A year ago, a committee of MPs told the UK government that delayed benefits meant families were going hungry.

    The UK government said it was providing more help to claimants to provide accurate information.

    Nearly 65% of underpaid benefits - the equivalent to about £1bn a year - was the result of inaccurate information from claimants, it said.

  7. As I said........ it's budget day!!published at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

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  8. Background: Iain Duncan Smith urges PM to reverse Universal Credit cutspublished at 09:25 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    Former Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith is urging Prime Minister Theresa May to reverse cuts to Universal Credit.

    Mr Duncan Smith, who quit days after the 2016 Budget, is urging the PM to postpone a plan to raise the income tax threshold to fund the move.

    Media caption,

    Iain Duncan Smith urges PM to reverse Universal Credit cuts.

    In 2015, cuts to the Universal Credit "work allowance" were announced - reducing the amount people could earn before benefit payments were withdrawn.

    A UK government spokesperson said there were "no plans" to reverse the cuts.

  9. It's budget day!published at 09:24 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

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  10. Background: Universal Credit veering off track, Resolution Foundation sayspublished at 09:24 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    The UK government's flagship benefit reform has "serious design flaws" and has "veered off track" because of cost-cutting, a think tank warned in May.

    The Resolution Foundation said Universal Credit could leave 2.5 million families worse off, some by more than £3,000 a year.

    JobcentreImage source, PA

    It comes as the government announces a further expansion of the scheme.

    Welfare Secretary Stephen Crabb said the payment was "transforming welfare" and getting people into work faster.

    Universal Credit, championed by Mr Crabb's predecessor Iain Duncan Smith, aims to provide incentives for people to move off benefits and into work.

  11. Background: UK may continue to administer Scots benefits after devolutionpublished at 09:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    The UK government may continue to administer some benefits for several years after legislative control over them is passed to Holyrood.

    Wheelchair userImage source, LUKASSEK
    Image caption,

    The Scottish government is to take over delivery of benefits including disability living allowances

    Power over 11 benefits is being devolved, but the UK government could continue to oversee delivery of some until 2020 to "minimise risk".

    Social Security Secretary Angela Constance said the transfer of powers would be complete in the current term.

    However opposition parties claimed the SNP were "terrified" of responsibility.

  12. Social Security Committeepublished at 09:17 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2016

    The Social Security Committee will take evidence on the. Universal Credit roll-out from:

    • Neil Couling, Universal Credit Director General with the Department for Work and Pensions
    • Denise Horsfall, Scotland Work Services Director, Department for Work and Pensions
  13. Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Livepublished at 13:14 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2016

    Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live's coverage of budget day at the Scottish Parliament, on Thursday 15 December 2016.

    The Social Security Committee takes evidence from the DWP on the controversial and troubled roll out of Universal Credit.

     After general questions, we’ll bring you extensive coverage of first minister’s questions, with all the social media reaction. 

    First minister's questions collageImage source, bbc/Scottish Parliament
    Image caption,

    We'll bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions from 12pm.

    The lunchtime member’s debate focuses on the future of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site.

    Then it’s the highlight of the week as Finance Secretary Derek Mackay reveals the draft budget for 2017-18. 

    Again we’ll bring you extensive coverage of this, including analysis and social media reaction.

    Derek Mackay and moneyImage source, BBC/Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay delivers his first budget statement from 2.30pm

    The Scottish government will then lead a debate on Scotland's Food Waste Target.

    It will then appoint the Scottish Land Commissioners and the Tenant Farming Commissioner.