The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 804 contributions
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 7 March 2024
Katy Clark
I have no doubt that we will look carefully at that later.
Do any of the witnesses want to flag up any provisions that have not been mentioned as ones that would make the experience worse? Does the committee need to look at any other aspects to improve the legislation?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 7 March 2024
Katy Clark
There has already been reference to the principles in relation to compensation recovery, but we have heard a number of examples of aspects of the proposals that do not seem to adhere to the statutory principles and seem to simply mirror the approach taken by the Department for Work and Pensions. Jon Shaw, to what extent does the bill as a whole align with the social security principles?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 7 March 2024
Katy Clark
Individuals getting more money is clearly an improvement—that is a massive step forward. However, putting that to one side, with regard to the way that the process works, would the bill improve the client experience for claimants?
Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 6 March 2024
Katy Clark
I have a question. I would not want in any way to hold up the passage of SSI 2024/26, which removes historical discrimination, but some outstanding issues are not covered in the SSI and I wonder whether we could get further information from the Scottish Government.
A significant part of the Fire Brigades Union response to the UK-wide consultation relates to the issue of aggregation, which is not covered in the regulations. Aggregation only applies to some members who joined the Fire and Rescue Service before April 2006, but it is an outstanding issue that I am sure—or I would hope—that we would all want to be addressed. It would be useful to get an understanding of the Scottish Government’s position on that. I appreciate that there are on-going UK-wide discussions, but it would be useful to know whether the Scottish Government considered going further, or what representations it is making in relation to those issues.
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2024
Katy Clark
I am very much aware of the UK’s responsibilities and of its failings. We spent the whole of Tuesday afternoon discussing a hypothetical social security system in an independent Scotland. Surely the payments that we are discussing are within your power. It might be that there is not the money to do this, but I am asking whether you have done any costings and whether you could look into the matter, given that we are dealing with real costs to people. Has any work been done on that, and could that be shared?
09:15Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2024
Katy Clark
I understand that winter heating payments are being increased in line with the CPI. Has any work been done on the cost of increasing them in line with energy prices, which, as the cabinet secretary is well aware, are a major challenge? Have there been any costings? What would the financial implications of that be?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2024
Katy Clark
On the timetable, the order will come into effect on 23 February if it is passed, but, from 1 August, it would be an offence to own an XL bully dog. Will you clarify the timetable for when law-abiding citizens would be guilty of an offence? When would that impact?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2024
Katy Clark
I think that you have covered it.
The minister said that the definition is on the UK Government website, but can you refer me to any definitions in relation to younger dogs? That has been a live issue down south.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2024
Katy Clark
I understand that we have to look at a UK website for the definition that will come into effect later this week.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 21 February 2024
Katy Clark
It will be on the Scottish Government website. Will any guidance regarding young dogs be in place later this week so that the owners—citizens—can know what they are supposed to do, or do we have to wait for that?