Chamber and committees

Good morning. It is good to see you back at the committee. The committee has learned that the equality data improvement plan is progressing in a positive direction. What blockers, if any, have been experienced, and what are the emerging priorities for the next stage in the work plan?

I appreciate that. Have you fed into the development of the new national outcomes? What discussions have taken place there?

Thanks. Are there likely to be further delays, or do you not know that at this stage?

I will come in on the back of Paul O’Kane’s comments. Cabinet secretary, in September, you wrote to the UK Government because you were concerned about the amount of mitigation that you are providing. You say that you cannot continue to mitigate the effects of UK policies, but we have been told:

“Read my lips: no austerity under Labour.”

What response did you get to that letter?

Good morning. It is welcome that the First Minister wrote to councils to seek assistance in the drive to increase the take-up of pension credits. I am aware of the good work that has been done in that regard in my constituency and across Scotland. Will the cabinet secretary put on record her appreciation of the work that local authorities are doing to increase pension credit take-up?

I am sure that they appreciate that. Receipt of a council tax reduction can in some cases be a good indication that a pension credit claim should be made. Are you aware of examples of council tax reduction records being used to help to target pensioners who may be entitled to pension credit?

I was going to cover collaborative working, which has already been spoken about. I think that Dr Hosie covered that, so I am okay.

Thank you. I totally appreciate your comments. Certainly, when we compile our report, we will take that back to the Scottish Government.

Good morning. Lewis, you mentioned in your submission the need to strengthen the role of the national outcomes in policy and spending decision making. You have touched on this already, but is there anything that you want to add to that on any missed opportunities that there may be?

Good morning. The committee really appreciates the witnesses taking the time to be with us this morning.

Karin Earl, in your written submission, you say that you do not make payment of the real living wage a condition for your grant holders. Will you expand on why that is the case, and can you give examples of why funded projects might struggle to do so?