Chamber and committees

The question that I was going to ask before I heard some of the conversation was whether, in your view, the Scottish Government has the power under devolved legislation to deliver the full and comprehensive ban that is needed.

Thank you, Sandra, for everything that you said. I was not aware of the detail of the history of Makaton that you shared, which was fascinating. I was aware of what it is, but I did not understand its history. Thank you for telling us about that and for answering our questions.

David, your point about justice really got to the heart of what this is about, which is justice for disabled people, as you both described. Many of those who are in the circumstances that you described are people with learning disabilities.

Sandra, you made a point about the need for the person to connect with the interpreter. Are you aware of any situation where somebody who already has a connection with the person who uses Makaton—a member of their family or friendship group, or a person who provides interpretation in another context, for example—has been allowed to support them in a legal situation? If so, has that carried any weight?

Have you heard of anyone who got support before a case went to court?

That was really clear. Thank you.

Thank you. That was really clear.

No, I do not think so. I asked about the unreliability of the cold weather, which you touched on. Do you have more to add to that?

Do you know how many people will lose out?

I will be quick, too. Does either of you have a view about why having a qualifying date was suggested, as opposed to the previous approach?

Energy Action Scotland’s written submission notes that the winter heating payment

“provides less impact on fuel poverty than the benefit it replaces”.

In addition to what you have said about the geographical impacts, Frazer, can you expand on that point so that we have an understanding of the gaps in addressing fuel poverty that this version of the payment creates?

I appreciate that.

I have a quick question for Mark Simpson on the same theme. In your response, and again a few moments ago, you noted that there needs to be a review of the fuel payment infrastructure in Scotland. Have you discussed that with the Scottish Government, and can you comment on whether it is likely to—or wants to—do that?