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The additional resources that you want in the 2022-23 budget are for 1.5 posts. Are they for Covid-19 work or are they for audit priorities?

You have been very clear about what the 1.5 posts are for. Given that, surely you can separate out the numbers dealing with Covid-19 issues from the numbers dealing with audit issues from the previous year.

Thank you for that. As no other member wishes to ask a question, I conclude this evidence-taking session by thanking all our witnesses for their evidence.

That concludes the public part of the meeting. I will give members a couple of minutes’ for a comfort break before we resume in private to consider the evidence that has been heard.

Thank you very much, and merry Christmas.

As no other member has indicated that they wish to ask questions on the spring budget revision, I thank the witnesses for their evidence.

Agenda item 3 is consideration of Audit Scotland’s budget proposal for 2022-23. Members have a copy of the budget proposal in their papers. We have the same witnesses for this agenda item. I invite Alan Alexander, the chair of the board, to make short introductory remarks, followed by the Auditor General.

To my mind, contingency funding is a one-off; it is not used for a recurring expense, which seems to be what most of your contingency is being utilised for. When you asked for contingency, would there not have been merit in your saying that you were not asking for funding in case something happened or there was unexpected or half-expected expenditure? You knew that additional staffing was needed. Why did you not just apply for that in the budget?

You were on mute for the start of your answer.

I will move on to the “National Development Plan for Crofting”. What discussions have been held with the commission about implementation? What actions have been prioritised? Is additional funding needed for the Crofting Commission?

What specific changes to the sponsorship arrangements with the Crofting Commission have been made in the framework document?

Is the level of sponsorship support that is being given to the Crofting Commission on a par with what is being given elsewhere?