Minutes: 22 June 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3, 4 and 5 in private.

2. Child Poverty and Parental Employment Inquiry:

The Committee took evidence from—

Jack Evans, Senior Policy Advisor (Scotland), Joseph Rowntree Foundation;

Lynn Houmdi, Co-Creator and Programme Manager, Making Work Work, The Challenges Group Founder, Flexible Working Scotland;

Nikki Slowey, Director and Co-Founder, Flexibility Works;

Jane van Zyl, Chief Executive Officer, Working Families;

Marek Zemanik, Senior Public Policy Advisor, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development;

and then from—

Andrea Bradley, General Secretary, Educational Institute of Scotland, Scottish Trades Union Congress;

Karen Hedge, Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Care;

Louisa Macdonell, Scotland Director, Business in the Community.

3. Child Poverty and Parental Employment Inquiry (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 2.

4. Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed an initial approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1. The Committee also agreed—

• To issue a call for written evidence;
• That the call for written evidence should be accompanied by a news release, and that sign-off of the news release is to be delegated to the Convener;
• That any further approach to consideration of the Bill, consideration of evidence received, and any draft reports or letters should be considered in private at future meetings;
• Agreed its approach to late, anonymous and confidential responses;
• To delegate to the Convener and the Clerks responsibility for agreeing any witness expenses.

5. Correspondence (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed a letter to COSLA on kinship care.