UK and Scottish government ministers met yesterday to discuss the next steps on the transfer of welfare powers under the Scotland Act 2016.

The meeting was chaired by Scottish secretary David Mundell and was also attended for the UK government by secretary of state for work and pensions Stephen Crabb.

In their first meeting since being appointed as the new ministerial team responsible for leading on the transfer of welfare and employment powers the group’s co-chair Angela Constance, cabinet secretary for communities, social security and equalities and Keith Brown, cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, represented the Scottish Government.

The group discussed the on-going terms of reference for the group, with a focus on building a constructive future dialogue on the implementation of the welfare and employment powers in the Scotland Act 2016. On the transfer of welfare powers, ministers agreed to work closely together to ensure a smooth transition to new arrangements.

Speaking after the meeting, David Mundell, Stephen Crabb, Angela Constance and Keith Brown said: “We had a very productive meeting which focussed on the importance of working together to ensure the safe transfer of these important powers, with those who stand to benefit at the forefront of discussions. We are pleased to be able to agree that work can progress to quickly commence a number of powers in the Scotland Act and to continue discussing the commencement of the remaining welfare sections in the Act.”