Chamber and committees

That is helpful, thank you. I do not know whether anyone else wants to make any points about that suggestion. If not, I am happy to hand back.

Thank you—that is helpful. We have heard all sectors ask for transitional guidance, so it is good to have that commitment on record.

The committee has also heard concerns about a flood of local development plans being published shortly after the adoption of NPF4. What steps is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that local development plans will be phased in conjunction with NPF4?

Okay; thank you.

Good morning, panel. Thank you for joining us.

It is my understanding that Lord Brailsford, the new chair of the Scottish public inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, will meet families today. I welcome that. Do you and your organisations feel that Anne’s law has been captured and embedded in the legislation?

The first question follows on from Paul McLennan’s question. Last week, we heard from Jim Miller, chair of Heads of Planning Scotland, who suggested that his interpretation of policy 27(d) pointed towards a ban. That is where there has been concern. I saw the minister coming in with a coffee this morning; I do not know whether he used a drive-through to get that. It is important to make sure that, when the policy gets down to local authority level, it is not misinterpreted.

Policy 27 was not even part of the original consultation and there has been no subsequent consultation on it. I was pleased to hear what the minister said to Paul McLennan, but, as for any future consultation on the policy, he said, “This is it”. What will that policy look like in guidance, because that is not clear, given the interpretation that people are taking from NPF4 currently?

Good morning to you, minister, and to your officials, and thank you for joining us. You mentioned that NPF4 has been a cross-Government endeavour. I welcome the positive and constructive nature of the discussions that we have had, but I am concerned about where housing sits in NPF4 and the fact that the housing crisis is not necessarily being addressed. I have a few specific questions on that. How does the revised NPF4 address the issue of potential underdelivery of land in the pipeline? Is there any trigger in place if land is not being brought forward?

As part of data collection, will you also be looking at waiting times for advocates and cancellations?

That is helpful. Thank you. Are travel costs also covered?

We know that the number of complaints to Social Security Scotland has risen by more than 400 per cent. Are you already getting feedback on why that is?

Will the speak out forums that you are planning to develop be included in capturing why people are making complaints and whether they are about the system or outcomes?