Social Security Scotland - subsistence and hospitality costs: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for How much has been spent by Social Security Scotland, or reclaimed by its employees through an expenses scheme, on (a) food and (b) alcohol since the agency opened.

Response

Social Security Scotland was established as an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government on 1st September 2018 therefore no information on expenses exists prior to this date.

The table below provides the information on subsistence, hospitality and catering since Social Security Scotland was established on 1st September 2018 up to and including 31st March 2019.

Subsistence costs	£5300.00
Hospitality and catering costs	£3576.00
Total cost	£8876.00

Subsistence costs can be claimed when an individual incurs out of pocket expenses whilst on official business, including overnight stays.

Hospitality and catering costs are incurred when Social Security Scotland provide hospitality or catering for meetings or Corporate events.

Scottish Government policies prohibit the claiming of expenses for alcoholic drinks, therefore the amounts given above relate to the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks claimed by staff.

About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.