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With regard to those measures, are you saying that they are going to be increased and that sanctions are going to be applied to companies that do not actively look out for those individuals and start to offer them some type of support? In the past, people have been self-disconnected for years without any support being offered. Are you assuring this committee today—and me, as the convener of another committee—that that action is forthcoming?

I have nothing to declare, convener.

I think that that highlights the fact that we do not always have that information, and it is information that we need everybody to start pulling together.

I have one further question. As is usually the case, there is not enough disaggregated gendered data, but there is strong circumstantial evidence that women are at higher risk of experiencing circumstances that are known to make households more vulnerable to fuel poverty. I am thinking about having lower incomes, heading single-parent families and having a carer status. It is important that policy makers understand what role gender might play, so that they can respond accordingly.

What gendered analysis has Ofgem, as a regulator, employed prior to lifting the price cap? How do you intend to monitor its impact on women going forward?

We move to questions from my colleague Evelyn Tweed, who will be followed by Jeremy Balfour.

Our next item of business is an evidence session as part of our inquiry into low income and debt problems. Back in November, we met a group of people experiencing problem debt. What they told us during that meeting has formed the basis of the inquiry, and we are now delving further into the issues that were raised. We thank them for sharing their experiences with the committee and we look forward to continuing to engage with them throughout this work.

I put on record my thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to the committee’s call for written views. We really appreciate the work that goes into submissions.

This morning, we will hear from two panels. First, we will take evidence from front-line advisers who work directly with people experiencing debt problems. I welcome to the meeting Alan McIntosh, an approved money adviser at Advice Talks Ltd; Charlene Kane, an Armed Services Advice Project regional support officer at the Denny and Dunipace citizens advice bureau; Matthew Irvine, a money adviser at Advice Direct Scotland; and Jim McPake, a debt adviser at North Lanarkshire Council.

I will make a few housekeeping points before we kick off. I know that, for some of you, this is the first time that you have given evidence; for others, it might not be. We have about an hour for this session. Given that you are all taking part remotely, keep an eye on the chat box on the BlueJeans screen. Do not feel that you have to answer every question, but if you have something to say that you want us to hear, please type an R in the chat box, which I will keep my eye on. Please give our broadcasting colleagues a wee second to turn your microphone on before you start to speak.

I will ask the first questions. How long have you been working as a debt adviser? What are your biggest concerns over the next 12 months? I will come to each of you in turn, in the order that I can see you on the screen. I will bring in Alan McIntosh first.

I thank all our witnesses for taking part this morning and for sharing their worked and lived experience with us.

I suspend the meeting to change panels and give members a short comfort break.

Thank you. That helps to set the scene for us.

I have a request in the chat box from Conor Forbes who would like to add to that, and then it would be helpful to hear from Susie Fitton about the Inclusion Scotland perspective.

Susie Fitton, do you have anything to add?