Minutes: 03 February 2026

1. Budget Scrutiny 2026-27:

The Committee took evidence from—

Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities, Simon Fuller, Deputy Director, Fiscal Strategy and Analysis and Rob Priestley, Head of Mainstreaming Unit, Scottish Government.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on—

The Criminal Legal Aid and Assistance by Way of Representation (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft]; and

The Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft]

from—

3. Subordinate legislation:

Siobhian Brown (Minister for Victims and Community Safety) moved—

S6M-20270—That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the Criminal Legal Aid and Assistance by Way of Representation (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved; and

S6M-20216—That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved.

The motions were agreed to.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Local Taxation Chamber (Rules of Procedure and Composition) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2026 [draft] from—

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Scottish Government.

5. Subordinate legislation:

Siobhian Brown (Minister for Victims and Community Safety) moved—S6M-20225—That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Local Taxation Chamber (Rules of Procedure and Composition) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to.

6. Budget Scrutiny 2026-27 (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 1.

7. Subordinate Legislation (In Private):

The Committee consider the evidence it heard under agenda items 2 and 4.

8. Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard at its meeting on 20 January 2026.  The Committee also agreed to issue an invitation to Dr Jason Lang, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Neurodevelopment, University of Glasgow to give evidence as part of its inquiry.