Chamber and committees

Finally on the review, how do you intend to involve smaller charities?

On that basis, would the cabinet secretary be prepared to consider further legislation if that were the outcome of such a review?

Could the review be independent? Would you consider that? A number of organisations told the committee that they felt that the review should be independent. Are you prepared to commit to that?

Good morning to you and the officials who are joining you, cabinet secretary.

Two weeks ago, we heard from a third sector organisation that

“The proposals that have been consulted on were developed at the very beginning by OSCR and the Scottish Government without input from the SCVO or the”

third

“sector, so the process has very much been focused on proposals favoured by the regulator. I think that that speaks to the increasing calls for a wider review”.—[Official Report, Social Justice and Social Security Committee, 2 March 2023; c 2.]

What is the cabinet secretary’s response to that quote from an organisation in the sector?

Thank you, Jen—I appreciate that. I could go on, but I will not take up too much more time, because other members have questions.

Colin, can I ask you about the issue of legal aid funding the reasonable adjustments that people might need?

I am sorry.

I appreciate that—thank you; that is helpful.

What options are open to people when they try to challenge that?

I will pick up some of the strategic litigation as I move on to my next line of questions on debt. I will bring Gillian Fyfe in on that topic.

Debt appears to be one of the main reasons why people seek advice and the main reason why people use civil remedy. What kind of support do people need just now? Where are the gaps? It would appear that we need both the model that you describe through Citizens Advice Scotland, and the model that Rachel Moon describes through Govan Law Centre, to be available across the piece so that people can access advice and legal advice. That could begin to address some of the strategic litigation issues.

That is a slightly broader question, but the issue of strategic litigation came up in response to the general question, so I thought that I would mention it when I asked you about debt.

When you say “resource”, do you mean legal aid or the availability of lawyers and solicitors, or both?