Chamber and committees

I have a request in the chat box from Conor Forbes who would like to add to that, and then it would be helpful to hear from Susie Fitton about the Inclusion Scotland perspective.

Susie Fitton, do you have anything to add?

Who wants to come in first? On you go, Lawrie.

When it was set up, it was probably not envisaged that the welfare fund would be the sticking plaster that we see just now. Jim McPake wants to come in on this.

Good morning, and welcome to the 14th meeting in 2022 of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee. We have received apologies from Natalie Don, Miles Briggs and Emma Roddick. Evelyn Tweed is attending the meeting as a substitute. Welcome back to the committee, Evelyn.

Our first item of business is a decision on whether to take item 3 in private. Do we agree to take that item in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Who do you want to direct that question to?

Thank you for sharing that with us, Charlene. That was really powerful. As a former Women’s Aid worker who ended up experiencing burn-out myself, I know that you carry with you everyone you work with, and I fully understand how that affects you.

Pam Duncan-Glancy, do you have any more questions at this point?

Thanks very much for that. The final questions for the panel are from Pam Duncan-Glancy.

To whom do you want to direct that question?

After we hear from Conor Forbes and Susie Fitton, I will open it up to questions from other members.