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Going back to what you said about the engagement being really good, I note that part of the reason why we can sit here and scrutinise the changes in staffing forecasts is that we have been given the figures. Do you feel that the agency has an overall commitment to transparency?

Thank you. That is really clear. I have a final question on the subject. It is worth noting that a significant portion of the changes to staffing and costs over time has been due to things such as reprioritisation within the DWP and data-sharing issues that took longer than expected for that Government to resolve. In terms of responsible spending and governance, is it therefore justified that the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland prioritised safe case transfer for users?

A lot of employers are really struggling to recruit staff, particularly for fixed-term or temporary contracts. Is it a good sign that Social Security Scotland is managing to recruit staff at pace despite that?

It sounds difficult. We might be getting to the point where it is impossible for a centre-left Government to work within a fiscal framework that has been set by a more right-wing Government elsewhere, while also mitigating a lot of that Government’s decisions. Is the situation a demonstration of why we require independence?

Good morning. I have a few questions about two big policy matters and how they affect homelessness, so I would appreciate it if we could do a bit of a quick-fire exchange.

The Parliament expects to deliberate next week on the emergency legislation for the rent freeze. I am sure that you are painfully familiar with the arguments that the freeze could increase homelessness because of landlords taking their properties out of the rental market. Is that a legitimate concern?

Thank you. Do you think that the rent freeze will have a positive impact on tenants? Could it help prevent homelessness?

Finally, from your perspective, did the eviction ban during the pandemic have a positive impact on tackling homelessness?

Do you think that it could prevent people from becoming homeless who would otherwise have become homeless because they cannot afford a rent increase?

Thank you for that comprehensive answer. The priorities of the spending review here, particularly the ones around child poverty and the climate crisis, comprise things that the committee has heard have particular effects on minority ethnic communities and single parents. Budgets are about decisions and prioritising. Is the prioritisation of those issues something that you support? Is it a contrast with last week’s announcement?

Good morning, Deputy First Minister. Last week, we heard from the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland about a number of asks of the Scottish Government, including some mitigation measures.

Professor Philip Alston, the UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, said:

“mitigation comes at a price and is not sustainable”.

Do you agree with that comment, and will you give an indication of how much of the Scottish Government’s spending is currently going towards mitigation?