BackThis month’s edition of news of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) shed light on the Scottish Government’s intended policy calling for a revised role of the SPSO in reviewing Scottish Welfare Fund decisions.
This proposal forms part of the Welfare Funds Bill that is currently being debated at the Scottish Parliament. An implementation of the proposal would constitute a significant extension of the SPSO’s jurisdiction and create a number of consequences that would require for an adaption of the SPSO’s current sphere of competence, processes and procedures.
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman has not expressed an opinion on the proposed changes. In this respect, the SPSO explained: "We have not expressed a view on whether the new role should or should not come to us. We are a Parliamentary body and Parliament will make this decision when reflecting on the Bill."
