Chamber and committees

Do you know why that could not be included?

Does that come down to resource, or is that about aspects of the bill? Will you talk a bit more about what that means?

Yes.

Claire Dobson, do you have anything to add?

Does it not cause you concern that it is such a low rate? Has research been done into why it is so low? It might be a reflection of people just giving up on the system.

We can inquire.

Katy, do you want to come in?

I am concerned about how information is shared with victims and about how we can build the confidence of victims and their families. Do we have the balance right? I understand the landscape, but I am interested in how the debate within what we might call “the system” is developing and whether improvements could be made. If so, what should those improvements be?

The feedback that I get from victims and their families is that they often feel as though they are in the dark. They have low confidence in the system, because they just do not know what is happening. I understand all the information-sharing criteria and the other stuff that you have just mentioned. However, I am keen to understand the debate about that that goes on in the system, whether it is evolving or settled and, if it is evolving, where it might go. I am keen to build the confidence of victims and their families.

Perhaps Alistair Hogg could answer that question first.

I have no issue with the order, but I will take a cheeky opportunity to ask about uptake for two-year-olds. I know that we have made changes to the relationship with the Department for Work and Pensions so that we can access information. The gap between Scotland and England is still quite significant. According to the statistics for 2022, 14 per cent of the population in Scotland had access to provision for two-year-olds, whereas the figure for England was 21 per cent. How quickly do you envisage us closing that gap? Have you seen any early evidence that we are doing so?

Great. Thank you.