Seòmar agus comataidhean

We will keep the petition open and write to all the relevant stakeholders. Are members agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you, Paul. To update the committee, Natalie Don’s proposed member’s bill is only about a pardon; it is not about a national memorial or an apology.

Claire and Zoe, is there anything that you have not been asked about, which you would like to say in evidence?

Once again, I thank the witnesses. I suspend the meeting to allow them to leave.

Our second continued petition is PE1854, on a review of the adult disability payment eligibility criteria for people with mobility needs, which has been lodged by Keith Park on behalf of the MS Society. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to remove the 20m rule from the proposed adult disability payment eligibility criteria or identify an alternative form of support for people with mobility needs.

The committee last considered the petition at its meeting on 17 November 2021 and agreed to write to Citizens Advice Scotland, Parkinson’s UK Scotland, the Neurological Alliance of Scotland and MS Society Scotland. The committee was keen to understand whether stakeholders believe that changes to the eligibility criteria for new disability benefits in Scotland would risk other reserved benefits being withdrawn.

Responses to the committee’s correspondence largely stated that stakeholders do not believe that changes to the 20m rule would impact on the passporting of reserved benefits. Stakeholders also challenged the Scottish Government’s concern about creating a two-tiered system as a result of differing eligibility criteria for the personal independence payment and adult disability payments.

The Scottish Government has previously stated that there will be an independent review of adult disability payments, which will report in 2023. I understand that work on the review will begin later this year.

Do colleagues have any suggestions?

Ruth, do you have any comments?

What stakeholders do you have in mind? Glasgow City Council and Transport Scotland are two obvious stakeholders, but are there any others that you can suggest?

Yes, but if you want to do that, you can.

Zoe Venditozzi, do you have any initial comments?

Thank you for that comprehensive answer. I was going to speak about pardons, an apology and a national monument, all of which you have covered. Does Zoe Venditozzi have anything to say?

Ruth, do you have any further questions?