Seòmar agus comataidhean

I congratulate you on your new role, cabinet secretary.

With regard to the third sector, do you agree that Scotland’s voluntary organisations and social enterprises are integral to Scotland’s economic and social fabric? If so, should they have had representation on the Scottish Government’s advisory council on economic transformation and a meaningful role in producing Scotland’s economic strategy?

Where are the gaps in monitoring the effectiveness of policy intervention in tackling poverty and inequality? What monitoring action could be taken?

Most social security regulations that come to the Scottish Parliament are subject to the super-affirmative procedure, which means that they are subject to scrutiny by the Scottish Commission on Social Security. Why is that not the case with the bill?

Congratulations on your new role, minister.

The bill is scheduled to move through the Parliament at a faster rate than legislation tends to. I appreciate the need to ensure the passing of the legislation in time to make the payment, but what is your analysis of the impact that that has had on the ability of carers and representative organisations to effectively participate in the legislation?

That is right.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the first meeting in session 6 of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee. As the oldest member of the committee, I have the pleasure of convening the meeting for the first two items of business. I take this opportunity to welcome all members. I look forward to working with you all.

Before we move to the first item on the agenda, I remind everyone to switch off mobile phones—I hope that everyone has done that already. We do not have any apologies.

The first agenda item is declarations of interests. I do not have any interests to declare. I will now go to members in alphabetical order.

Under agenda item 2, the committee’s next task is to choose a convener. Members have paper 2, which explains the procedure. The Parliament has agreed that only members of the Scottish National Party are eligible for nomination as convener of the committee. I understand that Neil Gray is that party’s nominee.

Neil Gray was chosen as convener.

Congratulations, Neil. We have our convener. I now hand over to you. I will be happy to work with you.