3rd meeting 2021

Date: Wednesday 7 September 2021

Session: 6

Location: TG.40-CR1 The Burns Room

Meeting opened at: 09.30 am

Meeting closed at: 12.42 pm

Committee Members Attendees

Kenneth Gibson (Convener)

Daniel Johnson (Deputy Convener)

Douglas Lumsden

John Mason

Liz Smith

Michelle Thomson

1. Pre-budget scrutiny: Scotland's public finances in 2022-23 and the impact of COVID-19:

The Committee took evidence from—

Polly Tolley, Director of Impact, Citizens Advice Scotland;

Laura Mahon, Deputy Chief Executive, Alcohol Focus Scotland;

Adam Stachura, Head of Policy and Communications, Age Scotland;

John Dickie, Director, Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland;

and then from—

Kevin Robertson, Chair Scottish Property Federation;

Joanne Walker, Technical Officer, Chartered Institute of Taxation and its Low Incomes Tax Reform Group.

During agenda item 1:

• Kenneth Gibson declared an interest as the owner of a property which is rented out;
• Daniel Johnson declared an interest as the director of a retail company and as a member of USDAW;
• Michelle Thomson declared an interest as the owner of buy to let properties and as an ambassador of the Westminster All-Party Group for Fair Business Banking.

2. Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament working group to improve budget information on climate change:

The Committee considered a note by the Clerk and noted the letter dated 25 August 2021 from the Cabinet Secretaries for Net Zero, Energy and Transport and Finance and the Economy and that the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will take forward arrangements with the Scottish Government.

3. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme and agreed correspondence to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy.