Chamber and committees

I presume that, in broad terms, we take money from another budget, cut the social security budget or raise more revenue.

I want to move on to one of the other areas in the cabinet secretary’s very wide portfolio—homelessness. We are seeing levels of homelessness and the use of temporary accommodation going up. How important is temporary accommodation as a short-term answer, and is the Government working to provide more temporary accommodation, particularly in hotspots such as Lothian and Glasgow?

I am always brief, convener. We have a power to create new benefits. Was that looked at as a way to introduce what you wanted to do—simply via a new benefit?

You said that a lot of progress has been made, and you mentioned two payments. What other progress would you say has been made in the past couple of years?

Just finally from me—you will be glad to hear that, minister—if such support is to be introduced, will it require regulations or could it be done within your existing powers?

That is very helpful. I will just ask for clarification on one point. If the proposal is possible and the negotiations with the DWP go well, would the payment be delivered by the DWP or by Social Security Scotland?

Thank you.

Good morning to you, cabinet secretary and minister, and to all your team. It is good to have you before the committee today.

I address my first question to Mr Dey. When will the Scottish Government deliver its lifelong learning offer, and how will it ensure that lifelong learning is accessible to lower-income parents in particular?

One of the commitments made in the Scottish National Party’s manifesto at the last election was to introduce a special support payment so that students who are in receipt of benefits do not lose out because they are in receipt of or entitled to student support. When will that manifesto commitment be delivered?

I will push you a wee bit on that, minister. It is a bit vague for people who are listening to hear you say, “We are working on it”. I am sure that that response could be used for lots of policies. Have you any indication of when that manifesto commitment will be delivered?