Hansard

7. Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Chamber

04 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Draft Budget 2026-27 (Investing in Communities Fund)

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated in its draft budget 2026-27 to replace the investing in communities fund when the current funding ends in March 2026. (S6O-05465)

Jeremy Balfour Con Chamber

07 Feb 2023

Social Security Programme Business Case

No, it was “in February”. He went on: “it is critical that the DWP maintains its commitment to providing data to Social Security Scotland by 31 January, to allow us to conclude our internal assurance of the 400,000 records.”—Official Report, Social Justice and Social Security...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I have to say that that is not the evidence that the disability community has presented to me, and it is not the evidence that is coming loud and clear from those with lived experience, in particular in Canada and parts of Australia.I have to say that I disagree fundamentally ...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Chamber

13 Jan 2026

Budget 2026-27

I am grateful for the cabinet secretary’s engagement on the budget. Unlike my former Conservative colleagues in Lothian, I am glad that I have been able to negotiate money for disabled charities, changing places toilets and the King’s theatre. Does the cabinet secretary agree ...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

That is very helpful.I have a broader question, although I might be going down a bit of a rabbit hole. If we go all the way back—you are too young, cabinet secretary, but for those of us who are slightly older—

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I have a couple of quick follow-up questions. First, you talked about free school meals, but could information be shared with local authorities in relation to other benefits, such as school uniform grants? We have had conversations about data sharing on numerous occasions. We ...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Thank you.

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

As always, convener.I do not want to end on a negative note, but I note that one of the things that was initially cut from this year’s budget was the investing in communities fund. I appreciate that the Government has reversed that cut and that the fund will continue for a yea...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

That happened yesterday.

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

That is helpful.I want to cover another area quickly. When do you intend to introduce regulations that will enable Social Security Scotland to estimate the levels of fraud and error in the devolved benefits system?

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I remind members that I am in receipt of ADP.Cabinet secretary, I fully agree with the comments in your opening statement about the Conservatives. I have written to the Conservative leader to ask why he said what he did, but I am still waiting for a response.I have a couple of...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Indeed. If we go all the way back, we see that the predominant reason why the original payment was brought in was to help disabled people into employment. Do you think that is still the main reason for ADP, or do you think that it has evolved and is now simply a benefit for di...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

At our meeting on 22 January, David Wallace told the committee that Social Security Scotland can drive public service reform and efficiencies. He referred to its new payment platform and to data sharing, for example. How will you evaluate whether that happens and whether it co...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Thank you for that.

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con Chamber

02 Feb 2022

Prevention of Homelessness Duties

There is no need to clap before I start, but thank you. I want to contribute in what I hope is a positive and constructive way. There is a lot of agreement with regard to what the Government is trying to do, and I think that there is cross-party support. As we have heard from...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con Chamber

22 Jun 2022

Social Security (Additional Payments) Bill

We have many debates in the chamber that are constructive and helpful, but I see no reason why we are debating this motion tonight. In a few minutes, we will all vote on the motion, and we will be grateful for the money that will be received from the Westminster Government. Th...

Jeremy Balfour Con Chamber

07 Feb 2024

Social Security (Investment)

I ask the cabinet secretary to reflect in closing that the August 2025 date came from her press release. That is the date that the Government has set. I am aware that the SNP will accuse me of being partisan for pointing out those failings, but members should rest assured tha...

Jeremy Balfour Con Chamber

01 May 2024

Women’s State Pensions (Compensation)

Unfortunately, I do not have time to take an intervention on this occasion. Unfortunately, that consideration has sometimes been lacking in Scotland since the partial devolution of benefits. We in Scotland are quickly racking up a bill that will become unsustainable, even by ...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con Chamber

03 Dec 2024

Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

I begin by thanking all those who have worked hard to get us to this point. The clerks, staff, third sector partners and others who have contributed to the bill deserve a lot of credit. The bill includes a number of measures that will meaningfully improve social security in S...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

04 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I cannot see the online witnesses—can they see and hear us? There we go—good morning, gentlemen. I welcome you all and thank you for coming. From your perspectives, what are the main pressures on the Scottish Government in trying to balance next year’s budget? What role does ...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

04 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

David Phillips might want to comment.

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

04 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Thank you. I will focus a bit more on the social security budget. In broad terms, if you are looking to make savings, you could either change the rules for eligibility or you could reduce the amount of money that a person gets. Do you think that either of those is necessary in...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

04 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I wonder if I can develop that point—I am conscious of time, so you should not feel that you have to answer every question that I or other members ask. Interestingly, the MS Society Scotland, in its submission, said that universalism would “risk spreading ... resources too t...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

04 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

The fiscal sustainability delivery plan sets out cashable savings of around £1 billion in the first year. Is that achievable? Is it one of those figures that have just been dreamt up on a Friday afternoon or is it something that could be done with the right effort? What effect...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

04 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Absolutely. I think that my question is brief; whether the answer is brief might be another issue. One issue that we have not touched on is the three additional benefits that the Government plans to introduce next fiscal year regarding the two-child limit, the pension-age win...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

04 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Thank you.

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Committee

11 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Once she has heard my question, she might not want to take it. I welcome the witnesses—thank you for coming. I absolutely agree with everything that you have said so far about social security being an investment. I should remind members that I am on ADP myself. Going back to...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

11 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Anyone at all.

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

11 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I think that Emma Jackson might want to come in. She was nodding, but I do not know whether she wants to say anything.

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

11 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

First, I think that we would all want to give a big thank you to Edel Harris for all the work that she and her colleagues have done. It will be interesting to see how not just the Government, but every political party, responds to your review. We could spend the next 12 hours ...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

11 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

That is helpful; thank you for that. I will raise two specific things. The first is about whether review periods should be longer or should be phased out, particularly for people who have permanent conditions. I am interested in that, and I am up for review at the moment. If...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

11 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

My final question is probably slightly more controversial. Your report says that face-to-face consultations “play an important role in the decision-making process.” Many people—we heard this from Emma Jackson—have had a bad experience when they have gone for their face-to-f...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

11 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Thank you. We could discuss that issue for a long time, but I will leave it there for the moment.

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

11 Sep 2025

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I have a question for Stephen, Chris or Emma. Clearly, both Governments have to make their own choices, and it is not necessarily for us to comment on that, positively or negatively. The big issue is passporting. If you get ADP, you passport into other benefits. Is there any w...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

18 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

The Scottish Government is spending £1.4 billion more on social security than it received in the block grant adjustment. If that additional spending affects the group that you represent, how does it do so?

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

18 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I do not know whether Allan Faulds has heard the question. I will go on, and maybe he can come in in a moment.

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

18 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Okay. I would like to develop this issue with all three witnesses. Last week, I asked witnesses whether our social security spend should be more targeted towards those in need instead of being universal. We have seen today that there has been overspend in some benefits. Would ...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

18 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Maybe we should start with Adam, since he was looking bemused.

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

18 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Does anyone else want to come in on that point?

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

18 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I have a final question. In the next few months, the winter heating payment and the carers additional person payment will be introduced, and there is the possibility of the two-child limit on payments being mitigated. Given the financial context that we are in, do any of you h...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

18 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I am done with my questions, deputy convener. I should have declared that I am on ADP at the higher rate.

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Good morning, cabinet secretary, and to your team. I want to follow up on that question. I think I am right in saying—I am just looking to get this on the record—that, at the moment, we have no way of knowing the income of those who are in receipt of ADP, which I am, and what ...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Okay, that is helpful. I will move on. The Scottish Government is introducing lots of new spending—investment, as you like to call it—which I think is good, such as the winter heating payments, the carer additional person payment and the two-child limit payment. You could hav...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

If the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government came to you and said, “Here’s an extra £20 million, £40 million or £50 million that I have found under the couch”, what would be your next priorities for spending?

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

That was an excellent political answer.

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

We have heard some evidence over a period of time that a greater proportion of the Scottish child payment should perhaps be targeted at certain groups. For example, I think we had a submission that those who are aged zero to one might need more support than those who are sligh...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

One of my personal frustrations is that none of us seems to be willing to talk about the difference between universal and targeted payments; it seems to be a subject that very few politicians want to talk about. How do you come to a view on which benefits should be universal a...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I want to pursue one area. Mr Wallace is sitting here very quietly, so maybe he can help us out. As I said previously, thanks to Social Security Scotland, I transferred very smoothly from PIP to ADP. I got a letter a few weeks later saying the agency was going to carry out a r...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

My concern is that we do not know whether it is value for money because Social Security Scotland does not know how much it costs. How do we know that it is value for money if Social Security Scotland does not know how much it costs to carry out this procedure?

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

That is not what I am asking. I am asking for a total cost, and my understanding from the cabinet secretary is that there is no cost. We cannot put a cost on how much it is costing Social Security Scotland to do these reviews—or are you saying that that information is available?

Jeremy Balfour Ind Committee

25 Sep 2025

Pre-budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I am finished, convener.

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Chamber

11 Nov 2025

Secondary Breast Cancer

I, too, thank Emma Harper for securing this important debate and for acknowledging the powerful work of Make 2nds Count and Breast Cancer Now in giving a voice to those who live with incurable secondary breast cancer. Behind every statistic, there are real people—mothers, dau...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Disability Payment (Mental and Behavioural Disorders)

Does the cabinet secretary agree that ADP helps people to get into and stay in employment? If ADP is cut, more people in Scotland will have to claim other benefits because they are not able to work. I remind members that I am in receipt of higher-rate ADP.

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Adoption Support for Families

I, too, thank Fulton MacGregor not only for only bringing the debate to the chamber but for all the work that he has done as the convener of the cross-party group on social work. I have had the pleasure of being part of that group, which has been very much driven by him. I am ...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Chamber

19 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Pupil Support Assistants (Additional Support for Learning)

The number of pupils who are identified as having additional support needs has risen by about 97 per cent since 2013, with about 43 per cent of pupils now recorded as having an ASN. However, support provision has not kept pace. Although the £29 million funding increase from 20...

5. Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Chamber

19 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Pupil Support Assistants (Additional Support for Learning)

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the current levels of pupil support assistant staffing in schools to support pupils with additional support for learning are adequate, including steps required where shortages exist. (S6O-05668)

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill

I thank the former First Minister for her words. I am not sure that there are lots of things that we agree on politically, but I think that her advice to her younger self is excellent. I had the privilege of being a lobbyist in this Parliament 26 years ago, and I can see the d...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I have nothing to add. I press amendment 11.

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I, too, thank the minister for her proactive engagement. Although we will not agree on everything this afternoon and evening, I appreciate the way in which she and her officials have reached out. I also thank all the charities and organisations that have helped to shape my thi...

Jeremy Balfour Ind Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will not hold members back. I do not agree with the minister’s comments. Trauma training is vital, but I do not see it as part of what we have, so, with your permission, Deputy Presiding Officer, I will press amendment 74.