Seòmar agus comataidhean

I have a timing question, which you might not be able to answer. When do you hope to have additional members in situ?

I echo the sentiments that have been expressed. We have heard today from people with a mix of backgrounds and skills, which is excellent. Professor Stephen Sinclair, the proposed chair, commented that there will be some serious work to do, given that the child poverty delivery plan needs to be reassessed in the very near future—and certainly within the next two years—for delivery by 2030. We have a good mix of people who will work hard to deliver that, but it came across strongly that they will have to work to a specific timeframe.

My question is not really on care experience assistance.

We took evidence from Michael Clancy of the Law Society of Scotland that, legally, to conform with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the age of a child should increase to 18 and that the age limit for the Scottish child payment should be increased to that age, too. What is the Scottish Government’s position on that, cabinet secretary? What response would you give Michael Clancy of the Law Society?

I am sorry, but I just want to confirm this. Given that evidence, it sounds as though that might be a legal position. Has the Government looked at that, and is it minded to make that increase?

I should have said hello to the cabinet secretary on my first question, so I apologise for not welcoming her to the committee with the team.

In its written submission, the Child Poverty Action Group pointed out that the bill includes a large number of new regulation-making powers that are not added to SCOSS’s remit. It says:

“All should be subject to statutory scrutiny by SCoSS.”

Why does the Scottish Government consider that SCOSS scrutiny is not necessary specifically for compensation recovery or information for audit?

I look forward to seeing those amendments. Thank you.

That is very helpful. We need to have a balanced view on that issue, and your comments help with that.

Thank you. That was exceptionally helpful in allowing me to understand that process. I have no further questions.

I understand that.

That leads on to the adult disability payment. Why do you think that most requests for redetermination are about adult disability payments? Does it suggest anything about Social Security Scotland’s decision making for that benefit? I will go the other way round, if that is okay—you alluded to adult disability, Erica, but we will start with Richard this time.

No, but it is a valid point, and I accept that. Erica, do you have anything to add to that?