Minutes: 08 November 2023

The Committee considered petition PE1958: Extend aftercare for previously looked after young people, and remove the continuing care age cap, and took evidence took evidence from—

Natalie Don, Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise,

Sarah Corbett, Care Experience Policy Manager, and

Cara Cooper, Unit Head, A Good Childhood: Children and Young People

The Committee agreed to consider the evidence heard at a later meeting.  

The Committee also considered the following petitions— 

PE1859: Retain falconers' rights to practice upland falconry in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Police Scotland and NatureScot. The Committee agreed to seek a Parliamentary debate on the issues raised in the petition.  

PE1867: Establish a new national qualification for British Sign Language (BSL). The Committee agreed to close the petition under rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE1913: Fast-track future Adult Disability Payment applications for people undergoing cancer treatment. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE1918: Improve sex education in schools. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE1934: Develop an educational resource on gender-based violence for all year groups in High School. The Committee agreed to write to the University of Glasgow and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. 

PE1939: Amend the date of birth to allow wider accessibility to the HPV vaccination programme for boys. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE1969: Amend the law to fully decriminalise abortion in Scotland. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE1991: Develop an educational resource on abortion. The Committee agreed to close the petition under rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.    

The Committee considered the following new petitions—

PE2036: Write off student loan debts for paramedic students. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2044: Recommit the £26 million pledged to colleges in the 2023/24 budget. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.17 of Standing Orders.