Chamber and committees

As you have suggested, the Scottish Government is encouraging benefits to be taken up, which increases the potential risk. You have said that that is an issue more in the short term, but can such risks be managed? Can the UK Government do more to alleviate potential risk by ensuring that our funding is not reduced, regardless of policy decisions that are made at Westminster? That is for David Phillips first, then Emma Congreve.

Thank you both.

Good morning. Can the witnesses advise us of the extent to which the demand-led nature of social security represents a risk to the Scottish budget as a whole?

Thanks, David. That was very informative. I was not looking for a specific answer, but just for background information.

We have touched on smart ticketing this morning. The committee and all its predecessors have heard calls for better integration between rail and other forms of transport, and for the creation of a smart-ticketing model. Can you update us on the immediate priorities of the fair fares review and say what stage it is at? What other steps are being taken by Transport Scotland on the smart-ticketing options that you mentioned?

I will follow on from that. Is there reluctance among private operators about having an integrated ticketing system, or are we not at that stage yet?

I will move on to a different issue.

We have touched on antisocial behaviour. Last week, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers highlighted concerns about the increase in antisocial behaviour. I know that women’s safety on public transport has already been made a priority in the national conversation and the consultation; it is important that that filters through to the real world and to women who use and rely on the services. How do we ensure that we hear from women who use the services and experience such problems?

It is nice to have you here with us this morning. Can you advise how the DWP is progressing delivery on the agreed transfer of the Scottish child payment from the UK Government to the Scottish Government? Can you confirm whether that is on track?

I appreciate those answers. Thank you very much.

It is good to know that we are on track. Obviously, the Scottish child payment is aimed at tackling poverty head on and it is a very ambitious programme. Does the minister recognise the hybrid nature of devolved benefits and accept that, if Scotland is to have low-income benefits that will help tackle poverty in this way and help people with the cost of living crisis that we are seeing now, the Scottish Government needs the data on eligibility, which is obviously reserved and needs to come from the UK Government? If this is genuinely a joint programme of work, again as you have just touched on, the Scottish Government cannot be thwarted in its aims to use these powers to help people who are reliant on the data from the UK Government. What do you suggest is the way forward to ensure that joint co-operation?