Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you, convener; I will be very brief.

Minister, on the basis of the UNCRPD report that Inclusion Scotland published last week, do you believe that we will meet the target of halving the disability employment gap by 2038 and, if so, how? Could we get a short update on the progress of the disability employment plan?

As the minister will be aware, equalities groups have written a letter about the Covid-19 inquiry. Specifically, they have said that the inquiry’s remit makes no mention of

“women, Black and minority ethnic communities, disabled people, LGBT+ People, older people, young people, persons subject to No Recourse to Public Funds, and other groups who ... have experienced”

the brunt of the pandemic. Those organisations feel let down, as I am sure that the minister will know. They have recently said that there was absolutely no evidence that they were “listened to”, and that the door was closed in their faces. I hope that that was not the intention—I am sure that it was not.

In addition, the Government and Lady Poole have suggested that the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers will not be included in the Covid-19 inquiry, as that remains a reserved matter. I have a few questions on those areas.

On my latter point, does the minister accept that local authorities and national health service health boards play a significant role in the treatment of those groups? Would she therefore agree that the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers should be included in the inquiry?

Going back to the issues that equalities groups raised, and the work that the committee has done on women’s unfair responsibility for unpaid work, what more could the Government do to ensure that those voices are heard in the inquiry? What actions can the Government take to address the issue of unfair responsibility for unpaid work? Further to that, what more could you do, and what do you intend to do, to implement a choice of split payments for universal credit, which could specifically support women in such situations?

Thank you, minister. I would be very happy to do that—I would appreciate that opportunity.

My understanding is that split payments are part of the Scottish choices element of universal credit, and that we have the powers in Scotland to make some adjustments to how universal credit is paid. I was hoping that, in your role in respect of equalities, you could make representations to the Minister for Social Security and Local Government to ask at what point we intend to implement those changes, because that could have a significant impact on women and could help with some of what we have heard in committee.

Cabinet secretary, thank you for bringing those issues to our attention. As you are in front of the committee, will you indicate whether you intend to include ScotRail as one of the organisations that will be subject to the public sector equality duty?

Thank you for your responses so far, minister. It is lovely to have you back.

I want to ask about disabled people’s organisations and other civic society organisations. A report published last week by Inclusion Scotland on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People recognised the importance of funding for disabled people’s organisations and others. With a view to incorporation, how will the Scottish Government ensure that DPOs and other civic organisations are adequately funded to provide a wide range of support, including peer support and capacity building?

Thank you. I appreciate that.

Thanks. They are on the same area.

Suzanne, do you have any information from the people that you represent about likely increases in tariffs, particularly where the local authority is the provider or the account holder? Can anything be done to mitigate the impact of that being passed on, while recognising the costs that the local authority will have?

My other question is slightly broader, but it is still on the cost of living. What can we do to make sure that Social Security Scotland can provide the best possible service to the Gypsy Traveller community? We have heard from most of the panel about the need to make sure that there is training and engagement with the community and an understanding of the interconnected aspects. That also relates to the point about a cashless society.

Yes—it is around access to justice and representation. Members might know that I have been meeting members of the Gypsy Traveller community who were affected by the programme to integrate Gypsy Travellers into mainstream society that took place between 1940 and 1980, which was ultimately badly designed.

We know that the impacts of that programme on the people involved were widespread. Post-traumatic stress disorder, long-term depression and the effects of long-term ostracisation are some of the things that they have highlighted. Despite that, the community, as it has highlighted for a number of years, is still looking for an apology and redress. I am keen to hear from Davie Donaldson and Lynne Tammi about that. Do you feel that an apology and redress would be helpful? What impact could that have on access to justice for Gypsy Travellers? Also, do you feel that people are empowered in that community to enjoy the human rights that they have and to hold people to account for them?

I thank the witnesses for joining us today and for the helpful answers that they have given so far.

I want to extend part of the conversation that we have just had and talk about the cost of living. Specifically, I am keen to know about lived experience of fuel poverty. Are the needs of the communities that you represent sufficiently addressed in Scotland’s fuel poverty strategy and the action plan? Does further work need to be done, given the upcoming increase to the price cap and the expected increase in energy prices? I am also keen to hear a bit more about the impact of a cashless society, which David Donaldson mentioned.

I will start with David, because I am quite intrigued by the concept of a cashless society and how we can address the related issues and support people through the cost of living crisis.