Seòmar agus comataidhean

Again, I thank Lily and Alice for coming along this morning.

We will move to questions for the whole panel.

I think that Lucy McDonald wants to come in.

I apologise to Tess White, who was about to come in with another question, but we have run out of time.

I thank the panel members for joining us, and for the work that you have done in the workstreams. The discussion will help to inform the next part of the committee’s inquiry. I am sure that, like me, all committee members have found your contributions to be very valuable.

At our meeting, on 27 February, we will begin taking evidence as part of the committee’s stage 1 scrutiny of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill.

That concludes the public part of our meeting.

I propose that the committee does not make any recommendations in relation to this negative instrument. Does any?member disagree?

Members: No.

We are very tight for time, so could committee members and contributors keep their questions and answers sharp and to the point? Emma Harper has a brief supplementary question.

Sandesh Gulhane has a brief supplementary question.

Welcome back. Joining us for our second session as part of our post-legislative scrutiny of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 are Lucy McDonald, who is joining us remotely, and Julia Smith, representing the individuals workstream; Ann Marie Penman, representing the carers workstream; and Dr Pauline Nolan, head of leadership and civic participation at Inclusion Scotland, who is here supporting the individuals workstream. Thank you all for joining us today.

I understand that Lucy, Julia and Anne Marie will give short opening statements to set out their respective workstreams’ recommendations and then we will have a wider discussion and questions from members. You do not need to turn on your microphones, as that will be done by broadcasting automatically. Can I invite representatives to give their feedback, starting with Lucy?

The purpose of the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2024 is to increase the value of savings credit disregard from £7.70 to £8.15 for a single person and from £11.45 to £12.10 for a couple and to increase the lower capital limit from £20,250 to £21,500 and the upper capital limit from £32,750 to £35,000.

The policy note states that savings credit disregard is increased in line with the increase in average earnings, which is currently forecast at 5.7 per cent, and that annual capital limits are increased in line with the consumer price index, which is forecast at 6.7 per cent.

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 6 February 2024 and made no recommendations in relation to it. No motion to annul has been lodged in relation to the instrument. Do members have any comments?

Members: No.

The purpose of the National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 is to increase the value of the personal expenses allowance in line with average earnings, which is an increase of 5.7 per cent.

The policy note states that the allowance is usually increased each April at the same time that social security benefits are uprated. The allowance amount is the same whether an individual is resident in a local authority or independent sector home.

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 6 February 2024 and made no recommendations in relation to it. No motion to annul has been lodged in relation to the instrument. Do members have any?comments?

Members: No.

I propose that the committee does not make any recommendations in relation to this negative instrument. Does any?member disagree?

Members: No.