SNP ministers have failed to work out the cost of setting up Scotland’s new social security system despite being responsible for funding any excess, an official review of the huge project has warned.
Audit Scotland found that ministers and their officials need a “better understanding” about the costs of implementing the “hugely complex” system, which will be responsible for distributing around £3 billion of benefits a year.
The UK Government has handed the SNP administration £200 million to introduce the new social security powers but the report warned the project will cost “much more” and this excess has to come from the Scottish Budget.
It also warned it would be “challenging” to recruit at...