Minutes: 18 April 2024

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5 and 6 in private.

2. Poverty and Inequality Commission Appointments:

The Committee agreed to recommend to the Parliament the Scottish Government's nominees as chair and members of the Poverty and Inequality Commission. The Committee also agreed to consider a draft report, in private at a later meeting.

3. Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Iain Hunter, Bill Team Leader, and Kayleigh Blair, Solicitor, Scottish Government.

4. Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard under item 3.

5. Housing (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 joint call for views with the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, and questions on homelessness and fuel poverty to be included,
• witnesses to invite, and to engage with a lived experience panel,
• to consider, in private at future meetings, any further approach to consideration of the Bill, evidence received and draft reports and draft letters, and
• under Rule 12.4.3, to delegate to the Convener responsibility for arranging to pay any expenses under the witness expenses scheme.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its approach to scrutiny of the Pension Age Disability Payment, agreed to hold an evidence session with stakeholders and agreed witnesses to invite.