Seòmar agus comataidhean

I believe she does.

Dr Nolan, I would appreciate it if you could keep your comments fairly brief, because we are in danger of running slightly over.

I will move to questions from Jeremy Balfour, who will finish off the session.

Thank you.

Before we move on, Sara Cowan, can I check how you pronounce your name?

I see that Alison White wants to come in.

Thank you all for your really useful evidence today. I appreciate that the bill is being scrutinised by a number of parliamentary committees, but, as many of you have mentioned, it is essential that we look at it from a social justice perspective. Your evidence will be key to that scrutiny, so I once again thank you all for coming along and giving evidence.

That concludes our public business for today. Next week, we will continue to take evidence on the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill.

Thank you, cabinet secretary. We will now move to questions. Those will be directed to you, but you are, of course, welcome to invite any official to respond. I will open with quite a general question. Please expand on why the Scottish Government believes that this is the right approach.

Good morning, and welcome to the 28th meeting of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee in 2022. We have received apologies from Elena Whitham. I congratulate Elena on her appointment as Minister for Community Safety and thank her for her work on the committee. I welcome Evelyn Tweed, who attends as a substitute today.

Our first item of business is a decision on whether to take agenda item 4 in private. Are we all agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

We will move to questions from Pam Duncan-Glancy, who will finish off our questioning.

We will move to questions from members.