Seòmar agus comataidhean

We move to theme 5, which is about appointees, and I invite Paul O’Kane to speak.

We will move on to theme 6, which is information for audit. I invite John Mason to speak.

We will go through the other themes and, if we have time in hand, I will come back to you.

Bob Doris and Jeremy Balfour want to ask some supplementary questions, and then we will conclude our business.

Our next agenda item is consideration of those nominated for appointment as the chair and eight commissioners to the Poverty and Inequality Commission. The Scottish Government has undertaken a competitive exercise and has identified the most suitable candidates. All have agreed to be nominated for appointment.

Under the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017, the Parliament has a role in approving the Scottish Government’s nominees. The committee has met the selection panel chair to hear about the appointment process and has had the chance to meet the recommended appointees. I now invite members to share their views, if anybody would like to do so.

Would anyone else like to come in?

Do members also agree to consider our draft report in private next week?

Members indicated agreement.

I briefly suspend the meeting to allow for the next item of business to be set up.

We move to theme 8, which is the Scottish Commission on Social Security. I invite Roz McCall to speak.

Katy Clark has a question on our final theme, which is on the financial memorandum.