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Stakeholders are clearly worried about the non-implementation of the acts that we are considering. How can Parliament reassure people and build trust for the future in further legislative processes?

Just to follow up on that, minister, do you feel that people should have trust in the legislative process in future?

It is clear that staff are working very hard to deliver on the Promise. You have told us about various things that you would like to see, but I would like each of you to give us one or two priorities that you absolutely want us to focus on. I have heard you talk about the need for more resources, less bureaucracy and an enabling environment, but could each of you give us one or two priorities, please?

Good morning, and thank you for your answers.

You have said that we are dealing with various challenges. What can the Scottish Government do, right now, to help with the situation?

The Independent Care Review’s “Evidence Framework” report highlighted the lack of available evidence from non-social work areas of the care system workforce. How might the issues that are faced by those who are in non-social work roles be better understood?

Good morning, minister. The committee recently considered the Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill and heard views on the proposals for an LDAN commissioner. As you know, the Scottish Parliament has agreed to a moratorium on new ministers—[Interruption.] Sorry, I mean new commissioners, although some people might also want a moratorium on ministers until June 2025. What are your views on having both an LDAN commissioner and a disability commissioner?

Thanks.

Pat, I will go back to an earlier question, when you read out a bit from the minute of the meeting with the regulator. Did you say that the conclusion was already being discussed before the process had actually started? Did the minute say that the regulator was already trying to avoid any future appeal?

Thank you, convener. I declare an interest as a member of Loreburn Housing Association and a former housing professional.

Good morning, witnesses. Thank you for all the information so far, and for your answers.

Convener, if you will allow, I would like to make a short statement before I ask a question.

David Bookbinder and Alan Stokes appeared before a similar committee almost exactly 10 years ago to raise serious concerns about the Scottish Housing Regulator. Patrick just alluded to that.

The current GWSF submission highlights disproportionate Scottish Housing Regulator interventions, affecting in particular smaller associations and potential takeovers. Share’s submission points to sector-wide fear and distrust of the regulator. Meanwhile, the SFHA calls for a truly independent appeals mechanism for RSLs, akin to what charities have through the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

It seems to me that little has changed over the past decade. As has been touched on, the Scottish Housing Regulator introduced a complaints policy that is neither independent nor trusted, leaving it rarely used. As a result, various committees and MSPs—myself included—have continued to hear the same criticism about the Scottish Housing Regulator: that there is no effective scrutiny of its exercise of its statutory functions.

Do the witnesses agree that the best way forward is to amend the current Housing (Scotland) Bill to establish an independent appeals process for RSLs, equivalent to the process that is open to charities to appeal the decisions of OSCR?