Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, September 10, 2020

Official Report 580KB pdf

Interests

Good morning, everyone. I remind members, witnesses and staff to ensure that social distancing measures are respected during the meeting, including when entering and exiting the room. I will give a little information about the conduct of today’s meeting. Pauline McNeill, Keith Brown, Shona Robison and Monica Lennon will dial in to the meeting. Mark Griffin has given his apologies, and Monica Lennon is attending as a substitute—I thank her for joining us.

The main item of business is item 2, which is stage 2 of the Social Security Administration and Tribunal Membership (Scotland) Bill. At item 3, the committee will look at a letter from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. No items will be taken in private this morning, so the meeting will not move to another platform as normally happens. If we go to a vote during item 2, I will outline clearly at that time how the process takes place. I remind members who are dialling in remotely that they can use the chat function, and both the clerk and I will observe the chat.

I am sorry for having to go through those housekeeping rules, which we would normally cover in private before the meeting. In addition, I ask people not to touch their microphones or consoles during the meeting; they will be operated automatically.

Item 1 is a declaration of interests. I invite Monica Lennon MSP to declare any relevant interests.

Good morning, convener and everyone else. I have no relevant interests to declare.

Thank you. It is good to have you with us; thank you for coming along.