1. Declaration of interests

Evelyn Tweed MSP will be invited to declare any relevant interests.

2. Decision on taking business in private

The Committee will decide whether to take items 6 and 7 in private.

3. Decision on taking business in private

The Committee will decide whether its consideration of a draft stage 1 report on the Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill should be taken in private at future meetings.

4. Subordinate legislation

The Committee will consider the following negative instrument—

The Welfare Foods (Best Start Foods) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/221)

5. Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill

The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

• Salena Begley
  Partner Engagement Manager
  Family Fund
• Fiona Collie
  Policy and Public Affairs Manager
  Carers Scotland (representing the National Carer Organisations)
• Colin Toal
  Unpaid Carer
  Lanarkshire Carers

and then from -

• Ben Macpherson
  Minister for Social Security and Local Government
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Strong
  Carer Benefits Policy, Senior Policy Officer
  Scottish Government
• Kate Thomson-McDermott
  Head of Case Transfer and Carer Benefits Unit
  Scottish Government
• Stephanie Virlogeux
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government

6. Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill

The Committee will consider the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

7. Work programme

The Committee will consider its work programme.