Chamber and committees

We move to our next theme, which is ethical commissioning, and Emma Harper will lead the questioning.

I want to pick up on something. You asserted that there will be a lack of opportunity for scrutiny by this committee of the bill and its subsequent secondary legislation. How did you come to that view?

My question to you is whether you agree that the co-design element, which will inform the detail of the secondary legislation, is the opposite of a top-down approach, given that COSLA will be among those who are asked for their input.

Jackie, I reiterate that, if any member asks a question and you wish to answer but have not been asked directly, you can put an R in the chat box. I can see that and will bring you in. I am conscious that, when we have someone online, we want to ensure that they have ample opportunity to contribute.

We will move on to the next theme, which will be led by Carol Mochan.

We must wrap up now, as we are rapidly running out of time. I thank the witnesses for their time this morning—they have been very helpful. At our next meeting, the committee will continue its scrutiny of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill with two more evidence-taking sessions.

I now close the meeting.

Is that not about the accountability of what happens in those assets?

I have a couple of questions on that point. You mentioned the countries where there is an expectation of and a reliance on family care. Do those countries give any kind of financial support to those carers, as we do with the carers allowance? Are those families expected to just get on with it, or is there a variation of the kind of support that is provided here?

And that has a knock-on effect on other measures of a wellbeing society, such as the gender pay gap.

Yes.

Two members have put in late bids for questions, but I can only allow two more, as we are running out of time. I call Carol Mochan and then Stephanie Callaghan, and then we will need to wrap things up.