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Understanding the Impact of Scotland Act 2016 on Social Housing

Explore the implications of the Scotland Act 2016 on social housing, including benefits, tax powers, opportunities, and risks. Learn how it affects UC flexibilities, social security, energy and fuel poverty, and income tax. Discover the potential changes and challenges in the housing sector.

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Understanding the Impact of Scotland Act 2016 on Social Housing

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  1. What does the Scotland Act 2016 mean for Social Housing? Karen Wright, Policy Advisor SFHA

  2. The Scotland Act 2016 – What is it?

  3. SocialSecurity • Universal Credit flexibilities • To legislate for disability benefits, carers’ benefits as well as the current regulated Social Fund (inc. Discretionary Housing Payments, Winter Fuel Payments and Payments for Cold Weather). • New benefits and top-up benefits • Work Programme and Work Choice

  4. Energy and Fuel Poverty • Schemes for reducing fuel poverty: SG to design and implement supplier obligations in relation to energy efficiency and fuel poverty • ECO: SM can design and implement ECO to reduce carbon emissions and home-heating costs • (BOTH under the targets set by the SoS) • SM will be consulted regarding renewable electricity incentive schemes

  5. Tax Powers • Income Tax (non-savings or non-dividend income) • A share of VAT receipts in Scotland will go to SG

  6. What are the Opportunities and Risks of the Scotland Act (in relation to housing)

  7. UC Flexibilities • RISKS • System risks: expense and ability • UK Government could delay the implementation of the changes OPPORTUNITIES • Direct payments, abolish the ‘bedroom tax’, more frequent payments, split payments • Improved health and wellbeing for tenants • Maximise receipt of rent payments

  8. Social Security outside of UC New benefits, Top-Ups and benefits for carers, disabled people and those who are ill, Regulated Social Fund (inc. WFP & PCW) and DHPs • RISKS • Funding • New schemes can be confusing or unsuccessful • SG is required to engage with the UK Gov to create new social security benefits OPPORTUNITIES • New benefits / topped-up benefits /reformed benefits • Alleviate poverty and improve health and wellbeing of tenants • Improve rent collection

  9. Support for unemployed people OPPORTUNITIES • The SP can reform or replace employment programmes • These can be used to help those furthest from the job market back into work + increase tax receipts • RISKS • Risks to funding • New schemes may be confusing for claimants or unsuccessful

  10. Energy and Fuel Poverty OPPORTUNITIES • SP can create new schemes to alleviate fuel poverty and enable tenants to live in warm, dry, safe homes • SP new role in consulting on renewable energy incentive schemes • RISKS • UK decides the overall targets of fuel poverty and energy efficiency schemes • Consult and consent requirements by SoS • SoS does not always have to consult with SM

  11. Income Tax (non-savings, non-dividend income) OPPORTUNITIES • Redistribution of wealth to reduce inequality • Improve health and wellbeing of tenants • Improve rent collection • RISKS • Behavioural effects • UK Gov is responsible for personal allowance

  12. ?

  13. Any questions? kwright@sfha.co.uk

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