Chamber and committees

That is very helpful. Given that we have seen the cost double for the establishment of Social Security Scotland, has that work on case transfers been significantly underresourced?

Thank you, convener. I thank the panel for joining us today.

To save time, I will put two questions together. First, we know that undertaking a caring role is a key contributing factor that has been linked to poverty, and we know that during the pandemic, more than 390,000 more Scots have become carers. It is now estimated that 45,000 young people are unpaid carers. What are the panel’s views on priorities for the 2022-23 budget with regard to potential reforms to the young carer grant and young carers qualifying for carers allowance supplement? Secondly, what do you think should be done to improve benefit uptake?

Good morning. Ahead of the meeting, I received personal correspondence about public consultation, including from Islay community council, for example. It is fair to say that some of the community councils that were involved in the process do not feel that their views were taken on board by Boundaries Scotland, specifically around the reduction in the number of councillors. What views have you heard on that?

Thank you—that was very helpful.

From what I have heard from both panels this morning, I would say that there seems to be a consensus among Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles, which seem to be content with what has been put forward. Perhaps the challenge of managing islands as well as the wider review of mainland council wards as part of this work has presented difficulties and caused concern. What are your views on that, given that not many people to whom I have spoken about this expected to see a reduction in councillors to come out of the islands act? Can you start, Derek?

Perhaps Douglas Hendry can give us a view on how councils with a mainland and island mix have been dealt with.

That is helpful. Finally, Maggie, you are likely to be standing in a two-member ward. Do you think that people will feel encouraged to come forward to stand when they realise that there will be just two councillors representing such a significant number of people, or they will be put off from standing? What impact do you think that will have?

Good morning. You have both answered the questions that I was going to ask on Boundaries Scotland and your involvement in public consultation. It seems, from your evidence, that both your councils were content with that.

I will turn the questioning on its head. I am sure that you will have corresponded with colleagues in other councils. Given the concerns that have been expressed to the committee by those in other council areas, where do you think that their reviews have gone wrong?

Was the fact that Shetland will have an additional councillor and Orkney will remain on the current numbers a significant issue? Are there any specific concerns that you would like to raise that you feel were not addressed during the reviews but should have been as part of that process?

That is helpful.

Shelter Scotland has recommended a pledge on annual housing and social justice reporting. Is the Scottish Government looking at producing a report to Parliament, so that we are able to benchmark and see how progress on the building of social housing is being made across Scotland? If so, will the report be wider and include information on marginalised groups? Specifically, what assessments and benchmarking will the Government take forward and how can the committee play a role in that?