Seòmar agus comataidhean

That brings us to the end of theme 2. Thank you for all your contributions.

I invite Paul O’Kane to introduce theme 3. I am aware that two of our witnesses were not able to contribute previously, so I am happy for them to come in on theme 3 if they want to do so.

Thanks very much, Ruth. It is interesting to hear about the added impact that the crisis has on women and the work that is being undertaken on that.

I will now bring in Suzanne Munday, who is online.

Thank you for that, Adam—it is much appreciated.

I bring in Steven McAvoy, who joins us online.

Yes—I will keep you right.

Comments on stigma around poverty are hugely important, so thank you very much for bringing up that point.

How is it pronounced?

Thank you—a very warm welcome to each and all, including the new members. I am the committee’s fourth convener in the current session of Parliament; I appreciate that there have been a lot of changes, and I thank the clerks for their forbearance.

I welcome Gordon MacDonald to his role as deputy convener.

Our next item of business is a decision on whether to take item 7 in private. Do members agree to do so?

Members indicated agreement.

We move on to Richard Meade.