Minutes: 01 March 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 5 in private.

2. Just Transition for the Grangemouth area:

Claire Baker indicated that she is a member of Unite the Union, Maggie Chapman indicated that she is a member of Unite the Union, Colin Smyth indicated that he is a member of GMB Scotland and Unite the Union. 

The Committee took evidence from—

Cliff Bowen, Executive Councillor and Pat Rafferty, Regional Secretary, Unite the Union ;

Gordon McGuinness, Director of Industry & Enterprise Networks and Ronnie Palin, Regional Skills Planning Lead for Central Scotland, Skills Development Scotland ;

Dominic Pritchard , National Organiser, GMB Scotland.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee noted the following negative instrument and agreed to write to the Scottish Government for further details.

Diligence against Earnings (Variation) (Scotland) Regulations 2023

4. Just Transition for the Grangemouth area (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier and agreed to write to Skills Development Scotland to seek further information.

5. Procurement Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (In Private):

The Committee considered the supplementary legislative consent memorandum lodged by John Swinney (LCM(S6) 20a) and a draft report. The report was agreed for publication.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered a note by the Clerk and agreed to write to the Scottish Government following publication of Pathways: A new approach for women in entrepreneurship.