Chamber and committees

When you talked about hairdressing, engineering and forestry earlier, it struck me that those roles are traditionally gendered ones. We know from the discussion about the modern apprenticeships system that it is very male dominated.

You have talked about the need for structural reform. Do you see the structural reform that you have suggested in any way addressing inequalities in the system? How can we address occupational segregation issues, particularly in relation to gender, although we can apply the same approach to disability? You will know that the committee has done a short piece of work on the disability employment gap. Do you see inequalities? How will we address inequalities through the reforms that you have suggested?

Okay. Thank you very much. That brings us to the end of the evidence session. I thank James Withers for his attendance at the meeting. We will now move into private session.

Apologies for that inaccurate description.

I will come to our other witnesses. Do you have any views on what the proposal would result in? Would it lead to additional costs? Do you have any concerns about the proposal?

Brian Whittle, did you have another brief question?

We are running over time, Mr Stewart, so please be very brief.

That brings us to the end of this morning’s evidence session. I thank the witnesses for an interesting discussion.

The committee will now move into private session.

We are experiencing some pressure on our time now, so I ask members to be concise, if possible.

Adam McGeoch, do you want to respond to the question about exports to the UK?

Would it be necessary to put that in the legislation, or could it be in the guidance that will be put together?