1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private.

2. National Care Service (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 2 from—

Eddie Follan, Chief Officer, Health and Social Care, and Councillor Paul Kelly, Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, COSLA;

Louise Long, Chief Executive, Inverclyde Council, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (Solace Scotland);

and then from—

Rachel Cackett, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS);

Rob Gowans, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE);

Karen Hedge, Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Care;

and then from—

Fiona Collie, Head of Public Affairs and Communications, Carers Scotland;

Dr Jim Elder-Woodward OBE, Co-Convener, Inclusion Scotland;

Adam Stachura, Associate Director for Policy, Communications and External Affairs, Age Scotland;

Frank McKillop, Director of Governance and Policy, Enable Scotland.

Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP.

3. National Care Service (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

4. Pre-budget scrutiny 2025-26 (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report. Various changes were agreed to, and the Committee agreed to consider an updated draft via correspondence.