Minutes: 29 February 2024

Thursday, 29 February 2024

6th Meeting, 2024

Start time: 09:02am

End time: 11:01am

Location: T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room

Published: Thursday, 29 February 2024

Minutes

1. Declaration of interests:

Following the Committee's consideration of the Social Security (Up-rating) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 [draft] and the Social Security Up-rating (Scotland) Order 2024 [draft] on 22 February 2024, Jeremy Balfour declared an interest as a recipient of Personal Independence Payment.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

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

3. Housing and Refugees:

The Committee took evidence from—

Graham O'Neill, Policy Manager, Scottish Refugee Council;

Phil Arnold, Head of Refugee Support – Scotland, Wales and N Ireland, British Red Cross.

4. Review of Poverty and Inequality Commission Resignation Review Report (In Private):

The Committee took evidence from—

John Somers, Deputy Director Police Division (the Reviewer), Scottish Government.

5. Consideration of evidence (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

6. Social Security Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered its approach to witnesses for the client experience of Social Security Scotland’s redetermination and appeals process.