Minutes: 30 May 2024

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5 and 6 in private.

2. Scottish Child Payment:

The Committee took evidence from—

Jack Evans, Senior Policy Advisor (Scotland), Joseph Rowntree Foundation;

Stephen Sinclair, Chair, Poverty and Inequality Commission;

Ruth Boyle, Policy and Campaigns Manager, The Poverty Alliance.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 [draft] from—

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Sterry, Policy Lead for Carer Support Payment and Ross Grimley, Lawyer, Legal Directorate, Scottish Government.

4. Subordinate legislation:

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice) moved—

S6M-13023—That the Social Justice and Social Security Committee recommends that the Carer's Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 [draft] be approved

The motion was agreed to. The Committee also agreed to consider a draft report, in private, at a later meeting.

5. Scottish Child Payment (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard under item 2. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice in relation to issues raised in evidence.

6. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed its approach to Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26. It agreed to focus its pre-budget scrutiny on third sector funding principles. The Committee also agreed that any further approach papers, consideration of evidence received, and any draft letters or reports should be considered in private at future meetings.