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Sometimes, we have to take a wee step back from our discussions and look at the context. As opposed to 185,000 people, 400,000 people will get the benefit automatically. The estimated spend was £8.3 million and it is now £20 million. That is the first part of the context. We also have to look at the wider benefit context that has been mentioned. The payment that we are talking about today is part of it, and we mentioned the Scottish Government looking at the Scottish child payment and other benefits that are being brought forward. We also heard the DWP talking about pension tax credits, and I understand that between a quarter and a third of people who are entitled to pension tax credits do not claim them. Emma Roddick touched on energy costs. In energy-rich Scotland, we face some of the highest energy costs in the UK, if not in Europe. So, first and foremost, we need the powers to tackle that.

Good morning, minister. I will keep the questions to what we concentrated on last week. You have mentioned the other schemes that are there to help people—those of the Scottish and UK Governments. How do we maximise the opportunity and ensure that people are aware of the winter heating payment and other benefits that are out there? The scheme was raised during the week to make people aware of it, but what can we do on an on-going basis?

If that is the case, do you support the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament having the powers to do that? Those powers are reserved not in this Parliament but down south.

With regard to the discussions that we have had, is there anything else that you would like to see in that bill and have not mentioned so far?

The second question was on the Bute house agreement and our engagement on local government funding, including council tax. Have you been involved in that process, and what would you like to see in the future in that regard? We have looked at that issue in the past; indeed, there was a commission, and there seemed to be a lot of different ideas, but nothing was agreed upon. What is your council’s point of view on that?

Just to clarify that, Euan—and I am conscious of time, convener—you are saying that it is more about the principle of being able to look at what you can do to raise funds locally.

And it would be additional money.

Good morning. I want to touch a bit more on the new deal, particularly in relation to whether that will be impacted by the national care service. What are your thoughts on that? Shona Morrison, I will come to you first, then Cleland Sneddon.

I will stay with Shona on that point and then come to Cleland Sneddon.

One of the key things mentioned by council leaders was the very start of the process. Rather than councils being told at the end of the process, “Here is the budget. Here is where we are going with it”, does more work need to be done at the start of the Scottish Government budget process, including more formal COSLA involvement? That was commented on by council leaders. What are your thoughts on that? Is that a takeaway for us?

Thank you. Does Cleland Sneddon have anything to add?