Seòmar agus comataidhean

Under agenda item 3, we are considering two instruments, on which no points have been raised.

Is the committee content with the instruments?

Members indicated agreement.

Under agenda item 4, we are considering five instruments, on which no points have been raised.

Under agenda item 5, we are considering one instrument, on which no points have been raised.

Good morning, and welcome to the 24th meeting in 2024 of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. I remind everyone to switch off, or put to silent, their mobile phones and other electronic devices.

The first item of business is a declaration of interests. In accordance with section 3 of the code of conduct, I invite Daniel Johnson MSP to declare any interests that are relevant to the remit of the committee.

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The second item of business is to decide whether to take items 6, 7, 8 and 9 in private. Is the committee content to take those items in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Tim Eagle wants to comment.

Is the committee content with the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

On funding, Pam Duncan-Glancy highlighted the financial situation that colleges have faced for the past 10-plus years. It is fair to say that we have also had 14-plus years of austerity, which has hit the Scottish Government’s budget.

Notwithstanding the dialogue that you have with your colleagues in the Scottish Government about getting additional finance into the sector, have you been given any reassurances by the new Labour Government in Westminster about additional funding coming to Scotland in the upcoming autumn budget, so that you could put additional resource into the college sector?

Is the committee content with the instruments?

Members indicated agreement.