Minutes: 21 March 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Discretionary Financial Assistance (Scotland) Revocation Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/58)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

3. Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Fiona Collie, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scotland & Northern Ireland, Carers Scotland;

Vicki Cahill, Policy Officer, Alzheimer Scotland.

4. Extra Costs of Disability Research:

The Committee took evidence from two of the authors of a research briefing on additional costs of disability in Scotland—

Chirsty McFadyen, Knowledge Exchange Associate, Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI), University of Strathclyde;

Dr Laura Robertson, Senior Research Officer, The Poverty Alliance.

5. Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard under item 3.

6. Extra Costs of Disability Research (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard under item 4. The Committee agreed to consider, at its next meeting, draft letters to the Scottish Government, the Department of Work and Pensions and COSLA.