Chamber and committees

I have nothing to declare, convener.

I think that that highlights the fact that we do not always have that information, and it is information that we need everybody to start pulling together.

I have one further question. As is usually the case, there is not enough disaggregated gendered data, but there is strong circumstantial evidence that women are at higher risk of experiencing circumstances that are known to make households more vulnerable to fuel poverty. I am thinking about having lower incomes, heading single-parent families and having a carer status. It is important that policy makers understand what role gender might play, so that they can respond accordingly.

What gendered analysis has Ofgem, as a regulator, employed prior to lifting the price cap? How do you intend to monitor its impact on women going forward?

Does the minister agree that, although the Scottish Government can, to a point, use our devolved social security powers to put more money into people’s pockets and mitigate the harms of escalating fuel poverty, together with signposting assistance that is available through organisations such as Citrus Energy in Ayrshire, the UK Government holds the levers for delivering meaningful support to citizens and that, if it fails to do that, it sends a strong message to all struggling families that it just does not get it or it just does not care?

To ask what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the potential impact on Scotland of the outcome of the French presidential election. (S6O-01039)

Voters in France recently joined voters in a number of European countries in rejecting the far right, with their dismissal of Marine Le Pen at the ballot box. What assurances can the cabinet secretary give that Scotland’s politics will also remain internationalist and free of hate?

We move to questions from my colleague Evelyn Tweed, who will be followed by Jeremy Balfour.

Our next item of business is an evidence session as part of our inquiry into low income and debt problems. Back in November, we met a group of people experiencing problem debt. What they told us during that meeting has formed the basis of the inquiry, and we are now delving further into the issues that were raised. We thank them for sharing their experiences with the committee and we look forward to continuing to engage with them throughout this work.

I put on record my thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to the committee’s call for written views. We really appreciate the work that goes into submissions.

This morning, we will hear from two panels. First, we will take evidence from front-line advisers who work directly with people experiencing debt problems. I welcome to the meeting Alan McIntosh, an approved money adviser at Advice Talks Ltd; Charlene Kane, an Armed Services Advice Project regional support officer at the Denny and Dunipace citizens advice bureau; Matthew Irvine, a money adviser at Advice Direct Scotland; and Jim McPake, a debt adviser at North Lanarkshire Council.

I will make a few housekeeping points before we kick off. I know that, for some of you, this is the first time that you have given evidence; for others, it might not be. We have about an hour for this session. Given that you are all taking part remotely, keep an eye on the chat box on the BlueJeans screen. Do not feel that you have to answer every question, but if you have something to say that you want us to hear, please type an R in the chat box, which I will keep my eye on. Please give our broadcasting colleagues a wee second to turn your microphone on before you start to speak.

I will ask the first questions. How long have you been working as a debt adviser? What are your biggest concerns over the next 12 months? I will come to each of you in turn, in the order that I can see you on the screen. I will bring in Alan McIntosh first.

I thank all our witnesses for taking part this morning and for sharing their worked and lived experience with us.

I suspend the meeting to change panels and give members a short comfort break.

Thank you. That helps to set the scene for us.