Minutes: 05 October 2023

Thursday, 05 October 2023

24th Meeting, 2023

Start time: 09:00am

End time: 11:21am

Location: T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room

Published: Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Committee Member attendees:

Apologies received from:

Paul O'Kane (Member)

Minutes

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3, 4 and 5 in private.

2. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2024-25:

The Committee took evidence as part of its Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2024-25 from—

Bill Scott, Director of Policy, Inclusion Scotland;

Graham O'Neill, Policy Manager, Scottish Refugee Council;

Gordon MacRae, Assistant Director (Communications & Advocacy), Shelter Scotland.

3. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2024-25 (In Private):

The Committees considered the evidence heard earlier under agenda item 2.

4. Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed its approach to oral evidence; to write to the UK Government about the Scotland Act 2016 and the Scottish Government about timescales for the introduction of Employment Injury Assistance. Also, the Committee agree to consider any further approach to consideration of the Bill, consideration of evidence received, and any draft reports or letters, in private at future meetings, as well as to delegate to the Convener and the Clerks responsibility for agreeing any witness expenses.

5. Correspondence (In Private):

The Committee considered a letter from the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments (SPPA) Committee on Standing Order rule changes relating to the refusal of legislative consent and agreed not to write the SPPA Committee.

The Committee considered a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice on appointments to the Poverty and Inequality Commission (PIC) and agreed to reply. The Committee agreed to consider the appointment plan for new appointments to PIC at a future meeting. It also considered and agreed the Scottish Government’s proposal for short-term appointments and agreed to publish a short report.