Seòmar agus comataidhean

Both, I would say, but mostly financial entitlements.

Good morning, panel. I want to go back to a topic that my colleagues have already asked about. I guess that my question is for any of our witnesses. What are the barriers to informal kinship carers gaining the benefits to which they are entitled, and what do you see as the problems with the current system of entitlements?

Thank you, convener.

It is perhaps for Linda Richards or Vivien Thomson. I can see Linda shaking her head.

Whoever feels comfortable answering it. Perhaps Andy Sirel can start.

After the powerful statement from Pinar Aksu, I have a small question. Given the squeeze on local authorities, do the witnesses think that the current level of third sector support is sustainable?

That question is for Pinar Aksu or Hassan Darasi.

Good morning. I will make my questions short.

What is the impact of the known lack of data on people with NRPF on the third sector in particular? Given the time constraints, I will ask my second question too. How would you assess the role of the third sector in cities with a large number of people with NRPF? COSLA has highlighted the financial pressures in those cities in particular.

I thank committee members for their time. I am sorry that I did not realise that I could have attended in person—I thought that everything was being done through BlueJeans.

The purpose of the cross-party group on Bangladesh is to promote and enhance understanding between Scotland and Bangladesh at a cultural, social, political and economic level. Our intention is to develop contact with the Bangladesh Parliament and other institutions, including the Bangladesh consulate in Edinburgh and the embassy in London, to progress such dialogue.

The group will also advance the mutual interests of Scotland and Bangladesh by representing the interests of citizen organisations with a Bangladeshi background in Scotland and acting as a forum for the Bangladeshi community. In the Bangladeshi community, there is a keen interest to know about the Scottish Parliament’s procedures, be part of Scottish democracy and learn what could be used for future elections in Bangladesh. We will do that along with our friends in Westminster. With the all-party parliamentary group on Bangladesh, we will work on research and develop a work plan for the growing Bangladeshi community in Scotland.

The CPG would be a new group focused on Bangladesh and would not overlap with any current CPGs. The topics that were discussed at our initial meeting and that will form our work plan include investment, trade, tourism, travel, the environment and education.

We want to build on the momentum that we have from the 26th UN climate change conference of the parties—COP26—when we made history by having the Bangladeshi Prime Minister in Parliament. We heard about the challenges that the country faces with the threat of climate change. COP26 has shown that we can deliver genuine changes only if we are united. I know that the United Kingdom, Scotland and Bangladesh will work shoulder to shoulder to tackle climate change.

Thank you for listening to me.

Yes, of course. We just want to share the APPG’s ideas, find out how it does things and gain information. Our CPG is mainly based on the community in Scotland.

Thank you very much, convener and committee members. I hope to see you soon.