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There are financial and time pressures in preparing the budget. What would be a realistic scope for further transparency in that process? I know that that is a bit of a strange question, based on your answers, but do you have any insights, based on what you know from what people have said to you, that we could take on board in that regard? That is primarily a question for Paul Bradley.

Good morning, everyone. I thank the cabinet secretary for the full and frank answers that she has given us. They are very helpful.

I was flicking through my notes and I noted that, last week, Judith Paterson stated that overpayments are “an inevitable consequence” of the process. I appreciate what you have said about overpayments in the answers that you have given so far, but it also came up at last week’s meeting that Social Security Scotland will not seek to recover overpayments of less than £65. What is the Scottish Government’s response to views that that amount should be set higher, and how will we monitor any possible overspends or budget concerns that might come from considering any variance on the amount of £65?

That will be monitored going forward.

Alison, could you also give me an answer? It sounds like that participation is not happening at the moment and is really difficult to bring in. Am I right in thinking that?

I am going to go right back to the beginning, cabinet secretary. You alluded to trying to make the process as easy as possible, especially for young carers. How can we ensure that the process is available and clear to all carers and that carers have accessible information to help them to apply for the carer support payment, especially if English is not their first language? How can we ensure that the process is as smooth and simple as possible, to reduce the stress on carers when they are going through it? I am intrigued to know what your comments on that are.

I have loads of notes and you have given us a lot of information. Thank you very much indeed. You have said so much about the need for consistent funding and performance outcomes, but I would like to focus on transparency and participation.

The evidence that the committee has received has highlighted on-going concerns about the transparency of budgets. Have there been any improvements in the transparency of the budget? Based on what you have said, I am not 100 per cent sure that that is the case, but I would be intrigued to find out about that. What needs to be improved? I will start there, although I might have a few more questions that spring off that.

Let us begin with Paul Bradley. If you could keep your answer short, that would be good, as I would like to hear what both of you have to say.

Thank you very much.

That is a very full answer. Thank you.

I did, convener. First and foremost, you can spot the new girl in the room; I apologise for sitting quietly so far. I thank all the witnesses, because for the past hour and a half or so, I have been listening intently to the evidence, which has been very informative.

Tracey McFall made a point that, to me, in my lack of knowledge, sounded as if it was alluding to the national specification for a treatment and recovery system that should be in place across Scotland, which was mentioned earlier.

I know that we have moved on a bit, but I want to come back on that, because I am interested in hearing your opinion. How should we prioritise the creation of a national specification? Where are we on that and what are your thoughts on it? I know that I am taking a slightly different angle in the questioning, but it was alluded to in your evidence.

Tracey, perhaps you would not mind starting, and if anyone else wants to come in on that, they can do so.

It certainly does. I would be interested to know whether anyone else has any comments on that.

There is not a thing—good.