Minutes: 25 November 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4, 5 and 6 in private.

2. Draft Climate Change Plan:

The Committee took evidence from—

Neil Langhorn, Head of Strategy and Analysis and Dr Richard Dixon, Chair, Environmental Standards Scotland;

Professor Graeme Roy, Chair, Scottish Fiscal Commission;

Clare Wharmby, Co-Director, Scottish Climate Intelligence Service.

3. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating in a devolved area as set out in the following UK statutory instrument proposal—

The Reach (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The Committee agreed (by division: For 4, Against 0, Abstentions 2) that the provision set out in the notification should be included in the UK statutory instrument. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government regarding its decision.

4. Draft Climate Change Plan (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

5. Pre-Budget Scrutiny (In Private):

The Committee considered a draft letter to the Scottish Government on the Scottish Budget 2026-27. Various changes were proposed. The Committee agreed to consider a further draft by correspondence and to delegate authority to the Convener to sign off the final draft.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. 

The Committee agreed some witnesses for future sessions of the draft Climate Change Plan.

The Committee agreed to arrange a visit to north-east Scotland in the new year as part of its scrutiny of the draft Climate Change Plan.

The Committee agreed to consider draft correspondence in relation to the MV Glen Rosa at a future meeting.