The commitment made in the Programme for Government is to extend eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments to families in Scotland with children in receipt of the highest care component of the Disability Living Allowance. Currently, in 2016-17, the number of families who would benefit from this extension of eligibility is approximately 14,500, which we estimate will rise to 16,700 in 2020-21.

Implementing reforms to existing disability benefits requires a large-scale programme of transition, legislation and implementation. As part of this programme a timetable for the commencement of the relevant sections of the 2016 Scotland Act will be agreed by Scottish Ministers and UK Government Ministers via the forum of the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare. Further announcements on future social security policy and delivery will be made at an appropriate stage. In the meantime, the Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for disability benefit assessments.

It is too early to determine if and how any of the DWP employees currently administering the benefits to be devolved might transfer to the Scottish social security agency.

In considering the employment issues arising from the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Government is in regular contact with trade union colleagues through the Council of Scottish Government Unions, of which PCS, FDA and Prospect are part.

We are undertaking a detailed business case to explore how the agency and wider social security system will work in Scotland. This will consider both national and local delivery options and aim to make sure services are streamlined and accessible. This work will be informed by the results of the social security consultation published on 29 July 2016.

In 2015-16 just over 24,000 households in Scotland received Healthy Start vouchers.

The Scottish Government set out its priorities for the coming year in "A Plan For Scotland: The Scottish Government's Programme For Scotland 2016-17" published on 6 September.