Chamber and committees

Thank you. Karen, did you want to ask anything further on that?

I thank all of you for those opening comments.

To get us started, would any of you like to share your view of the Scottish Government’s approach in responding to the Supreme Court’s judgment and of its proposed amendments to the bill?

Jan Savage, I noticed that you said in your opening statement that you felt that that was the only way to proceed and that there were no alternatives. Could you offer a bit of insight into why you believe that so firmly and whether any alternatives were considered? We will hear from Jan first, but other members of the panel can indicate if they would like to come in.

Do members of the panel have another question that they wish to put?

Thank you to all of you for such thoughtful questions.

We now have time for a short discussion on how you have found the experience of participation and engagement with the committee. First, I want to ask committee members whether they have a particular question from the members of our panel that they would be happy to put to the minister in our next session. We have given that some thought prior to this meeting.

Thank you for those responses. I know that, especially in the teaching profession, there have been many initiatives over the years to increase the diversity of the workforce. I think that we would all admit that, unfortunately, we are not making the progress in that area that we would like to, but it is heartening to hear about the continued work and the focus of the Scottish Government on that.

I pass over to Meghan Gallacher.

Thank you very much, John. That was very helpful to the committee. I hand over to Justine, who will give us the question that the panel would like us to ask the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees. I will leave it to Justine to introduce the next person to ask a question.

Who would you like to go next?

I will give the panel a little bit of thinking time. It would be helpful for committee members to have a little bit of insight into what made the members of the panel think to ask each particular question. Do you have an interest in that area or an example that you would like to share with us? You do not have to give an answer. Justine, can I bring you in?

We do have a couple of minutes.

That brings us to the end of this part of the meeting. I repeat our sincere thanks to our witnesses, who will now take their seats in the gallery to observe our session with the minister. I know that they will be watching and ensuring that we ask their questions, and they will be in the room to hear the answers.

I briefly suspend the meeting to allow for a change of witnesses.