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Those who drafted the equality impact assessment certainly seemed to face a challenge in saying what the impact would be, given the lack of data. I think that there is agreement on that. I will push further: will the follow-up take place on the basis of the expenditure returns that come after the council elections in May next year?

I am sorry, but I am talking about the impact of the policy on the excluded expenditure returns, because that falls under the Government’s responsibility.

The wording in the SSI is broad. It talks about the additional costs that any disabled person would face. It is only when we look at the policy note that we see that there appear to be emphases and restrictions. I absolutely accept and whole-heartedly agree that this should be about removing the additional expenses that some individuals face in running for election, as compared with others.

The certainty of that answer brings me to my last question on this SSI, which is about the bodies that were consulted. I found the bodies that were reached out to a little limited—let me put it that way—given that various bodies in Scotland have substantial evidential experience that could have been contributed. I hear what you say about the responses that you received, but were positive steps taken to reach out and ask disability organisations and disabled elected representatives to feed into this?

It is fair to say that, in the previous election, events in East Lothian led to an emergency proxy being issued at about 9 o’clock, and I can see similar events occurring in council elections.

As no other committee members have any questions on the Representation of the People (Postal Voting for Local Government Elections) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021, we will move to the Scottish Local Government Elections Amendment Order 2021.

I will use the convener’s privilege and start the questioning, because a couple of matters concern me, the first of which is the equality impact assessment. I note from the information that was provided that there was an assurance that the assessment would be published before the instrument was laid before the chamber. It has, indeed, been published alongside the instrument. I do not know whether the minister has had sight of the equality impact assessment, but some questions were raised when it was being compiled. The assessment says:

“Follow-up after the elections on how this expenditure exclusion is used may be helpful in understanding the impact of the policy.”

In addition, it refers to a lack of data to feed into decision making.

First, will the minister give an assurance that there will be a follow-up? Secondly, on a slightly higher level, do you have any concerns about the equality impact assessment, given the lack of data about the people to whom it applies?

In relation to excluding certain items from the expenditure, the equality impact assessment specifically says:

“Follow-up after the elections on how this expenditure exclusion is used may be helpful in understanding the impact of the policy.”

I understand that the changes will obviously apply to future elections, because you do not have the data on this one. There has been a very strong request, and it seems to me that, unless there is confirmation that there will be that follow-up, the impact of the policy will be unknown.

That assurance is very helpful.

I would like clarification of a few more points. Can you explain the thinking behind additional costs for security? I have asked a number of sitting and prospective councillors, but they did not really understand what was being referred to.

I think that that would be helpful as part of the review process following the elections, if only to capture the experience of how it has worked the first time round.

Absolutely. My last question on this SSI—I know that I said that my previous question was my last—is about how the provision on deductions will be applied across Scotland. What are you going to do to monitor the position so that we do not have a situation in which certain expenses are allowed to be deducted in one submission while others do not benefit in the same way?

It is fair to say that, as we heard in evidence, the SSI does not include any Covid-influenced increases. It would be right for the committee to point that out, because we do not know what the situation will be next year. We hope that we know what it will be, but experience tells us to be careful about making assumptions.

To be fair to the answer that Bob Doris received, there is an understanding that there is a need for better and wider consultation with individual councillors through COSLA and the political parties, specifically in relation to the election expenses order. I am assured by the evidence that we heard that there will be a wider consultation, particularly in relation to groups that are influenced by the two SSIs. Does that make sense?

Does the committee agree to make no recommendation in relation to the SSIs except that which appears in the evidence?

Members indicated agreement.