Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you very much. We have another three or four people who want to come in. I am conscious of the time, so again I must ask you to be as concise and succinct as possible.

Thank you. That has given us food for thought.

I will bring in Fiona King and then Martin Canavan.

Item 2 is an evidence session on the cost of living crisis and its impact on lone parents. The session is in round-table format and follows on from last week’s session, when we heard from organisations that represent disabled people and unpaid carers.

I welcome everyone. In the room, we have Martin Canavan, who is head of policy and participation at Aberlour Child Care Trust; James Dunbar, who is chief executive of New Start Highland; Cara Hilton, who is policy and public affairs manager for Scotland at the Trussell Trust; Kirsty McKechnie who is early warning system project manager at the Child Poverty Action Group Scotland; Satwat Rehman, who is chief executive officer at One Parent Families Scotland; and Fiona King, who is senior policy and public affairs manager at Save the Children.

Joining us remotely are Morag Hannah, who is chief executive officer at Skye & Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau, and Laura Millar, who is strategic manager at Fife Gingerbread.

I thank you all for joining us today.

We have chosen the round-table format again this week in order to facilitate a free-flowing conversation, so the committee is very much in listening mode. Please feel free to indicate to me when you want to come in. If you are attending online, please pop a wee R in the chat box and I will bring you in.

We have three themes today. I will kick off on the first theme, then invite Miles Briggs to introduce the second theme and Katy Clark to introduce the third. We have approximately 30 minutes for each discussion.

Theme 1 focuses on how the increase in the cost of living has affected lone parents. We are interested to hear more about how things have changed for lone parents in the past year and what particular issues have had greater impacts on lone-parent families. In addition, it would be useful if you could pick up on where there are gaps in the committee’s knowledge, or tell us whether you are aware of any research that is being undertaken on the issue. We will have an open discussion—we are all ears.

Perhaps Satwat Rehman can start.

I will bring in James Dunbar, to be followed by Morag Hannah as our final speaker.

That brings us to the end of theme 3. I say a huge thank you to you all for your evidence today. If any points remain that you have not had a chance to raise with us, you are welcome to follow up in writing. For me—and for the rest of the committee members, I am sure—our discussion has brought up more questions.

That concludes our public business for today.

Thank you for sharing the story of that family. It is sad, but it is heartening to hear about the pilot scheme that you are rolling out. Thank you for sharing that information.

I will bring in Fiona King, followed by Kirsty McKechnie.

We have an indication of people who want to come in. Forgive me for interrupting you. Before I turn to other witnesses, Jeremy Balfour would like to come in.

Thank you for that, Kirsty.

I will now bring in Laura Millar, who is online.

Thank you for your contribution, Martin.

I will bring in Martin Canavan. We still have another four people who want to come in, so I ask you to be as quick and succinct as possible, Martin. Thank you.