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I have one final question.

Yesterday’s budget announcement that we will scrap the two-child policy in Scotland has been widely welcomed across the country. It is clear that we will require access to DWP data. There is a worry that DWP might not give that the priority that it needs, particularly when time is of the essence. Do you share that concern?

I will stay on the same theme. What feedback do local authorities receive on their local child poverty action reports? Is it automatic, or do they get it only if they ask for it?

To what extent is data sharing required for local authorities to tackle child poverty? What lessons have been learned about its effectiveness?

Good data sharing is key. We heard evidence from some councils to suggest that more could be done, through better data, to increase the take-up of the Scottish child payment. Are you aware of the potential to improve take-up?

The qualifying benefits for the Scottish child payment are reserved. Does that suggest that the use of DWP data is really the problem?

Absolutely.

Thank you. If you can update us on the timescales, that would be really helpful to the committee.

At our session last week, it was suggested that there was no need to consult further. However, if the Scottish Government does so, will it take on board the views that were expressed? People said that they were overwhelmed by the size of the consultation, which made them feel excluded.

Will the Scottish Government simplify the process and make it more focused? It is important that you take those views on board and consider the time that disabled people’s organisations have committed to engaging with the consultation.

Thank you. If you can update us on the timescales, that would be really helpful to the committee.

At our session last week, it was suggested that there was no need to consult further. However, if the Scottish Government does so, will it take on board the views that were expressed? People said that they were overwhelmed by the size of the consultation, which made them feel excluded.

Will the Scottish Government simplify the process and make it more focused? It is important that you take those views on board and consider the time that disabled people’s organisations have committed to engaging with the consultation.

Thank you for those reassurances. I am sure that this will be at the top of the agenda next week.

Good morning. Witnesses at last week’s evidence session told us that the LDAN bill would make a difference to people in Scotland. What difference do you think that the bill would make to people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people?