Scotland Bill — Clause 19 — Carers Benefit — Scope of Eligibility — 30 Jun 2015 at 14:00

The majority of MPs voted against allowing the devolved administration in Scotland to pay a carers benefit to those under 16 or in gainful employment, or in full time education.

MPs were considering the Scotland Bill^[1]

The amendment rejected in this vote was:

• Amendment: 48, in clause 19, page 22, line 45, leave out sub-paragraph (a).

Clause 19 contained the following^[2]:

• Carer’s benefit” means a benefit which is normally payable in respect of the regular and substantial provision of care by a relevant carer to a disabled person; and for this purpose—
• (a) “relevant carer” means a person who—
• (i) is 16 or over,
• (ii) is not in full-time education, and
• (iii) is not gainfully employed

Clause 19 provided for amendments to the Scotland Act 1998, adding to the list of areas in which powers are not "reserved" to the UK Parliament.

The Bill proposed devolving powers related to Carer's benefit to Scotland; the rejected amendment sought to extend the scope of potential eligibility for Carer's benefit in Scotland.

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• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Scotland Bill
• [2] Clause 19 of the Scotland Bill as at the time of the vote (note page numbering inconsistent with PDF and that used in the amendment)

Debate in Parliament | Source |