Chamber and committees

In looking to the future and the programme for government that was announced just a few weeks ago, what balance has been struck with regard to what we just talked about, in respect of bills that are about to come forward?

Thank you. I will leave it there, convener.

I will move on slightly. What considerations does the Scottish Government take into account in deciding whether or not to delegate a power in a bill, in order to satisfy itself that that is appropriate? How do you work that one out?

Yes.

Thank you, minister, that is helpful. Although the answer might be “no”, I want to push you a wee bit harder on that. Committees need as much notice as possible for larger, or more complex, SSIs, especially large packages of instruments that need more scrutiny. Do you know whether any such instruments are in the pipeline in the next few months?

Thank you. Paul Traynor, do you want to add anything to what you put in your submission?

I do not know whether the other witnesses want to add anything at this point. I will take the silence as a no.

The other point that all the witnesses argue is that the proposed rules on education create unnecessary complexity. What might be the impact of that increased complexity? I do not know whether Maggie Chiwanza or Paul Traynor wants to start on that one. Paul, do you want to go first?

Thank you. Fiona Collie, do you want to add anything to that?

Good morning. Thank you all very much for coming along. I will start by asking Fiona Collie and Paul Traynor a question, which picks up on something in your submissions. Carers Trust Scotland and Carers Scotland do not accept the Scottish Government’s argument that extending payments might incentivise young carers to take on a larger caring role. Fiona, perhaps I can start with you and ask, why not?

Good morning. We are looking at the coming budget, but we also have to look beyond it. The Scottish Fiscal Commission tells us that, by 2027-28, we are going to have a deficit of £1.3 billion. I will start by putting a question to Emma Congreve, and then other witnesses can jump in. Should we start to tackle that deficit now or should we just leave it and push it down the track? Moreover, if we should start tackling it now, how should we do that? You have two minutes. [Laughter.]