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Good morning, and happy St Patrick’s day. I have a question on the connection between the economy and other budgets. You touched on that in answer to my colleague, Pam Duncan-Glancy, but it would be good to hear more. Is anything happening at a UK level to embed that link? Are you aware of good practice or experience of that sort of approach in any other countries? That question goes to Emma Congreve, and then David Phillips could add to that.

Is there any good practice of assessing that link in other parts of the world?

Yes. In your written submission, you said that, in the documents, the connection of social security to the wider economy and public spending is missed. You gave the example that investment in social security has the potential to reduce NHS and social care spend, so I wanted you to expand on that.

Good morning, minister. From your letter to the Presiding Officer, we are aware that, in the light of the cost of living crisis, you plan to introduce emergency legislation that will increase the uplift in Scottish benefits to 6 per cent. That is really welcome, as it will help some people to cope with the impact that the crisis is having on household incomes.

You set out that that is not possible for disability benefit because of the current Westminster welfare uprating policy. However, the Resolution Foundation has asked the UK Government to uprate higher for as many benefits as is administratively possible but at least universal credit and tax credits, which could include DWP disability benefits. That would be an obvious way to assist people with the cost of living crisis. I have not seen any remote possibility that the UK Government will do that. Is that also your understanding of its position?

Thanks for that clarification, minister.

I have a final question. In its submission, the Scottish Fiscal Commission indicated that it had recruited several staff to begin work on its fiscal sustainability report. That will cover the outlook for the Scottish Government’s funding and spending plans over a long-term 30-year horizon. Do you welcome that development? What will that bring to the table that will assist in setting budgets? If you are unable to respond to that today, I would ask that you pop the answer into a written response, if possible.

Again, a number of my points have been covered. Ms Duncan-Glancy asked about the 20m rule. Will you comment on the rationale for introducing it in the first place?

Good morning, minister, and thank you for coming. Many of the points that I wanted to make have been covered, but I have one on PIP. Will there be any changes to your proposals for changes to the PIP criteria prior to 2025? You will be aware that that is the target date for the completion of the transfer from PIP to adult disability payment. We are looking for assurances that there will be nothing that puts at risk the safe and secure transfer.

Witnesses to our committee have been on record saying that the Westminster Government introduced the rule to cut money from disability benefits. Do you dispute that?

Good morning, panel, and thank you for your very helpful contributions so far.

My question is for Laura Tomson of Zero Tolerance Scotland. In relation to prevention, your written submission highlights the need to foster positive personal identities and challenge gender stereotypes and roles, which makes complete sense. Can you highlight any good examples of that approach and any evidence to support its effectiveness?