Image source, bbc

SNP MSP George Adam asks if the minister still thinks UC is fit for purpose.

The minister reiterates that she does.

"For the vast, vast majority of people it is working."

Mr Adam asks if CAS and other charities are all wrong when they say people are not getting the support they need and are facing "financial mayhem".

Ms McVey agains says that for the "vast, vast majority of people" it is working.

Ms Johnstone says people are still waiting for five weeks for money when they are moved to UC.

Ms McVey says people in need can now get an advance of money due to changes made in the budget.

Image source, bbc

Ms Johnstone asks if the advance does not just add to the debt burden of the claimant.

The UK minister says there is a year to pay back that advance.

The importance of digital support is then highlighted by Ms McVey.

Denise Horsfall says the government recognises there is a gap in this area.

Image source, bbc

Last November we reported that the Scottish government had called on the chancellor to stop the rollout of Universal Credit to enable "fundamental flaws" to be fixed.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay wrote to Philip Hammond asking for improvements to be made to the payments system in his autumn Budget.

He said a delay in payments had caused hardship to families across Scotland.

The UK government said the vast majority of people were paid their Universal Credit in full and on time.

The controversial measure, which is being rolled out across the UK, brings six existing benefit payments into one - but critics have claimed the six-week wait some people have for their first payment is contributing to a rise in debt, rent arrears and evictions.

• What is universal credit?
• MSPs call for halt to Universal Credit
• First use of new Scots welfare powers

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the public was assured that the move to UC would not result in a reduction in benefits.

She points to research indicating the transition is financially disadvantageous.

"I don't agree with this," the work and pensions secretary states.

Ms McVey argues Universal Credit is encouraging more people into work.

There's a whole support package available in total, she says.

Image source, bbc

Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey says UC is a new benefit system that all parties across the house agreed with.

Ms McVey says it was brought in to address more complicated lives and it is a benefit for the future, centering it on the individual to become a personal benefit.

She says she is being told it is liberating for claimants.

The minister says the government will change and adapt as the rollout of UC continues to make sure it works.

Image source, bbc

Last November we reported that people claiming the benefit Universal Credit would have to wait five weeks, rather than six, to receive their first payment from February 2018.

The UK government had been coming under mounting pressure to act after reports that many people were getting into rent arrears, problem debt or having to use food banks while waiting to receive the benefit.

In his Budget the chancellor also announced that housing benefit claimants could continue to receive it for an extra two weeks while waiting for their universal credit payments to start.

And advances available to people who need it will be made more generous, covering up to the full value of their claim, rather than a maximum of half.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill asks whether a job grant is within devolved competence.

Ms McNeill also raises concerns about transitions to Universal Credit, suggesting there are "structural issues" in the system.

On the job grant, Ms McVey says it would be up to the Scottish government to decide how to pursue it.

Mary Pattison from the DWP confirms the job grant is within the competence of the Scottish parliament, with the legislation currently being considered to ensure this.

Image source, PA

Last November MSPs voted to formally call on the UK government to halt the rollout of Universal Credit.

The new welfare system, which combines the likes of housing benefit and tax credits into a single payment, was described as "fundamentally flawed".

UK ministers have made some tweaks to the system in a bid to assuage concerns about how long claimants have to wait.

But MSPs voted by 75 to 23 to call on the government to "immediately halt" the rollout due to "clear failings".

Universal Credit is being implemented gradually across the UK, but the process is to be accelerated from October with 50 jobcentres a month to be added.

• Look back on the Universal Credit debate on Holyrood Live
• read more here

Ms Adamson says the committee was a 'bit disappointed regarding the 'bedroom tax delay'.

Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey says she understands there has not been a delay.

Ms McVey says there was never a time put on it and people are working as fast as possible.

She goes on to say any delays in data sharing have not been down to the DWP.

UK Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey says she is pleased with the cross-government work on social security.

She states discussions have been "constructive".

Image source, bbc

Social Security Committee convener Clare Adamson introduces:

• Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey
• Mary Pattison from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Denise Horsfall, Universal Credit operations area director in Scotland, DWP

Image source, bbc

The ongoing issues with universal credit and the transfer of social security powers from Westminster to Holyrood are on this morning's agenda as the Social Security Committee questions Esther McVey.

This is Ms McVey's first appearance in her role as the UK's work and pension secretary.

As well as universal credit, the committee is also expected to explore issues such as the two child limit in tax credits.

Ahead of this meeting, Social Security Committee Convener Clare Adamson said this would be a chance for MSP to "candidly explore the main issues facing social security in Scotland".

Ms Adamson added: "We will talk about the transfer of powers but more than this, our Committee will be clear that we expect responses about the action being taken to ensure that the on going problems with universal credit can be resolved."

Image source, BBC/Lukassek

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live.

We start back after the Easter recess, early this Monday morning, with a special sitting of the Social Security Committee as it questions UK Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey.