Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People is a position in the Scottish Government Cabinet. The Cabinet Secretary has overall responsibility for social security, equality and human rights. The Cabinet Secretary is assisted by a junior Minister, the Minister for Older People and Equalities. The current Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People is Shirley-Anne Somerville, who was appointed in June 2018.[1]

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People
Incumbent
Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
since 26 June 2018
StyleCabinet Secretary
Social Security Secretary
AppointerFirst Minister
FormationJune 2018
Websitewww.gov.scot

Overview

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People include:[1]

  • Devolved welfare policy
  • Devolved social security
  • Measures against poverty (with CSCLG)
  • Best Start Grant
  • Best Start Foods
  • Funeral Support Payment
  • Job Start Payment
  • Carers Allowance Supplement
  • Carer's Assistance
  • Young Carers Grant
  • Disability Assistance
  • Employment Injury Assistance
  • Cold Spell Heating Assistance
  • Winter Heating Assistance
  • Scottish Child Payment
  • Equalities
  • The protection and development of social and human rights
  • Elderly people
  • Cross Government co-ordination of policies in support of women and gender equality

Public bodies

The following public bodies report to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People:

History

The position was first created as a junior ministerial role, the Minister for Social Security in May 2016, to reflect the increased powers of the Scottish Government over Social Security as a result of the Scotland Act 2016. The Minister for Social Security did not attend cabinet meetings, instead being represented by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, Angela Constance MSP. In June 2018 the position was raised to Cabinet Secretary level.[1]

List of office holders

Minister for Social Security
Junior ministerial position

Jeane Freeman 18 May 2016 26 June 2018 Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People

Shirley-Anne Somerville 26 June 2018 incumbent Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon

References
  1. "New Cabinet appointed". Scottish Government. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
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