Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you, cabinet secretary. We start by focusing on theme 2, which is on education and training. I bring in Jeremy Balfour.

Our next item is the final evidence session of our inquiry into addressing child poverty through parental employment. We have held evidence sessions on childcare, education, employability, family-friendly working and transport. Today, we are going to hear from the Scottish Government on some of those themes, as well as on social security rules and governance, policy coherence and evaluating policy impact.

I welcome to the meeting Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and Natalie Don, the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, who will be joining us shortly. The supporting Scottish Government officials are Matthew Farrell, head of strategy, finance and performance; Julie Humphreys, the deputy director of tackling child poverty and financial wellbeing; and Ann McKenzie, unit head of the tackling child poverty policy unit. Those witnesses are joining us in the room.

I also welcome Graeme Dey, the Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Jane Duffy, unit head, post-school qualifications, Scottish Government, who are joining us remotely.

Thank you all for joining us today. Cabinet secretary, I believe that you would like to start with a short opening statement.

I am conscious of the time. I remind members to be as clear, concise and succinct as possible when they are asking questions, which will allow all members to come in if they have supplementaries.

Welcome back to our final public agenda item today. We will now discuss other priorities that are relevant to the committee. Thank you for staying with us, cabinet secretary. I invite members to ask questions, starting with Katy Clark.

That concludes our questions for the cabinet secretary. I thank the cabinet secretary and her officials for attending today’s meeting.

Next week, we will take evidence on the Carer’s Assistance (Carers Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 and on the 2024-25 budget.

We will move into private to consider the remaining items on the agenda.

The committee appreciates your considering those requests; thank you for that.

I confirm that we are aware of your request, Mr Balfour, regarding the letter in question, and it will come up in our work programme for the committee to discuss in the next few weeks. I thank the cabinet secretary for her offer.

That concludes our discussion on the theme of childcare. I thank the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise and her official for coming along.

Good morning, and welcome to the 20th meeting in 2023 of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee. We have received no apologies.

Our first item of business today is to decide whether to take items 4 and 5 in private. Do members agree to do that?

Members indicated agreement.

I call Bob Doris.