Chamber and committees

I note that the previous cabinet secretary raised issues with the joint ministerial working group on accessing data in order to extend the Scottish child payment. Can you provide an update on how that went and whether those issues are still a factor?

I liked your comment, cabinet secretary, that recognised that joined-up work across the portfolio is needed in order to improve people’s lives. However, poverty and child poverty are affected by the work of every Government portfolio. Therefore, how are you working with other cabinet secretaries to ensure that their decision making is poverty aware and their policies are poverty proof?

Miles Briggs covered my question on the unsuitable accommodation order. I welcome the response and the further updates that are to come.

As someone who has been homeless, I welcome the fact that homelessness is under the social justice remit rather than the housing remit. Is that reflective of the Government’s good understanding of the drivers of homelessness beyond simply housing availability?

Highland Council is worried about changes to the rapid rehousing policy in that, previously, somebody had to have a connection to the area to have a right to be housed. What conversations are you having with councils to ensure that they are supported to deal with what they see as a challenging pressure that is coming towards them?

Modelling shows that the same amount of money will be more effective in bringing down child poverty if it is paid through the Scottish child payment rather than universal credit. Are you concerned that, if the Scottish child payment is doubled at around the same time as the uplift to universal credit is removed, it will be less effective, because it will be closing the gap that has been created rather than driving down poverty?

Thank you.

I am hearing from you that even doubling the Scottish child payment will not be enough, so my question is, what would be enough? What would you see as an adequate amount to be paid through the Scottish child payment as an end goal?

I echo members’ thanks to everyone who is giving evidence today; all the other committee members and I have found it very valuable.

I note that the theme of eligibility keeps cropping up. The Scottish Government has said that, in the early stages of carers assistance, there will be limitations on how much eligibility can be changed, and improvements to the application process and the administration will be able to come in earlier. Do the witnesses feel that those changes, including greater visibility and providing various options for communication, will make a big difference to carers in their experience of claiming the benefit?

Do you think that the changes to the administration and application process for carers assistance early on will make a big difference to carers’ experience of claiming the assistance?

No, convener—my questions have been covered.