Seòmar agus comataidhean

Absolutely.

That would be very helpful, cabinet secretary.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the first meeting in 2023 of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee. As this is the first time that we have met in 2023, it seems only right to say happy new year to everyone, although the beginning of the year seems like a long time ago now.

Our first item of business is to decide whether to take agenda item 4 in private. Do members agree to do so?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you very much, cabinet secretary.

You mentioned some of the difficulties that the budget is set against this year. Can you outline what impact the cost of living crisis and the inflationary pressures have had on the budget and explain how the budget is different from previous budgets?

It is, indeed, extremely difficult.

We will now move to questions from other members. Pam Duncan-Glancy is joining us online.

To continue with that theme, we move to James Dornan, who joins us online.

That is positive news on multiyear funding. The issue has been raised with us frequently in the committee, so it would be helpful if you would keep us updated on that.

We move to questions from the deputy convener, Emma Roddick.

We now move on to questions from Foysol Choudhury, who is joining us online.

We will go back to Pam Duncan-Glancy, who joins us online.