First Minister to face Conveners over two sessions

The Convener’s Group is comprised of the Conveners of the Scottish Parliament’s 15 Committees and will usually hold public evidence sessions with the First Minister twice a year. The sessions allow Committees to scrutinise the Scottish Government and ensure accountability for its actions and policies.

In a first, the sessions with the First Minister have been split in two.

On Wednesday 1 October, Conveners will raise issues that relate to the environment and climate change, economy, finance, health and social care and parliamentary scrutiny. Conveners taking part in this session are expected to include:

• Ariane Burgess MSP – Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee
• Edward Mountain MSP – Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee
• Stuart McMillan MSP – Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
• Clare Adamson MSP – Constitution, Europe, External Affairs & Culture Committee
• Daniel Johnson MSP – Economy & Fair Work Committee
• Kenneth Gibson MSP – Finance & Public Administration Committee
• Clare Haughey MSP – Health, Social Care & Sport Committee
• Karen Adam MSP – Equalities, Human Rights & Civil Justice Committee

Then, on Wednesday 8 October, Conveners will raise issues that relate to rural affairs, education, social security and parliamentary scrutiny. Conveners taking part in this session are expected to include:

• Finlay Carson MSP – Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
• Martin Whitfield MSP – Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
• Richard Leonard MSP – Public Audit Committee
• Jackson Carlaw MSP – Citizen Participation & Public Petitions Committee
• Bob Doris MSP – Social Justice and Social Security Committee
• Audrey Nicoll MSP – Criminal Justice Committee
• Douglas Ross MSP – Education, Children and Young People Committee

Both sessions will start at midday and are expected to last around 60 minutes each.

Speaking ahead of the session, Deputy Presiding Officer and Chair of the Conveners Group, Liam McArthur MSP said: 

 “Conveners Group meetings with the First Minister are a core part of the Parliament’s scrutiny of the Scottish Government.

“The Group has been focused on taking forward work that cuts across multiple committees and this is a great opportunity for the Conveners to raise some of these issues with the First Minister. By splitting the meeting into two, hopefully conveners will have an opportunity to explore the issues in a little more detail.

“As we head towards the end of the session, during what has been a particularly busy period for the parliament, this is an ideal time to have the First Minister back engaging with the Conveners Group.”