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 225 contributions
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 7 December 2023
Roz McCall
I am totally behind the understanding that underpins the change, and I think that it is important. I will always have a concern that the individual or the client may, in a lot of cases, be circumvented in certain ways. I accept whole-heartedly the attempt to move forward, and it is important that we do so, but there will always be a little question mark at the back of my mind, as the individual still needs to be at the heart of everything that we do.
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 30 November 2023
Roz McCall
That was helpful—thank you. A lot of the information that you have provided today, including the article that was sent to us, has been very helpful to me, as somebody who is reasonably new to the committee and does not have that systemic memory that you have mentioned.
Another question sprung to mind when you stated earlier in the session—in response to the deputy convener, I think—that SCOSS is now in a position where it could perhaps handle an increase in responsibility in what we are looking at. Earlier, the cabinet secretary was of the mind that that was maybe not the right way to go. Can you expand on why you think this is the right place for the commission to move forward and why it provides the right avenue for taking on that additional responsibility?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 30 November 2023
Roz McCall
I am, yes.
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 30 November 2023
Roz McCall
That was very informative—thank you. Thank you for your candour, too. I appreciate it.
10:45Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 30 November 2023
Roz McCall
Hello, and thank you very much indeed for the information. I will be mopping up, because I have some questions that are based on your answers to other questions.
In response to my colleague Mr Mason, you said that some of the hope in the initial stages of the setting up of SCOSS, as regards how things would or could be in the early days, has not quite come to fruition. Given those challenges, do you think that the devolved benefits system is as good as it could be? You have highlighted that it has maybe not quite met the aspirations that you had at first.
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 16 November 2023
Roz McCall
That was a very interesting, full and informed answer. Certainly, both answers very much focused on support.
What are your opinions on preventative measures that are being used in the workplace? We will hear from you the other way around this time: Professor Macdonald and then Lucy Kenyon. Could you give me a brief answer, please? I will get shot in a minute.
09:15Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 16 November 2023
Roz McCall
Thank you. It would be fantastic if you could send in more information in relation to relevant evidence. I do not think that we would have any problem if you wanted to do that. Thank you very much.
Professor Macdonald, I know that you said that you do not have any formal arrangement with the IIAC, but can you give me an answer from your experience?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 16 November 2023
Roz McCall
Very briefly, Lucy, would you speak on the preventative side?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 16 November 2023
Roz McCall
Thank you.
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 16 November 2023
Roz McCall
Welcome, both. I will ask both of you this question, and, on the basis of the answers that you have just given, your answers will be very informative. I will start with you, Lucy, if that is all right.
Given the answer that you have just given us, and taking into consideration that there is no proactive way of looking at it, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommends which conditions and occupations are included in the prescribed list for industrial injuries, which we have already alluded to. In your experience, does that have any wider influence on the extent to which employees are supported or on any preventative measures that are put in place for the workforce?