Chamber and committees

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

The Committee was established in June 2021. It looks at subjects such as:

the Scottish Government's policies on welfare and poverty
the social security system in Scotland
homelessness and rough sleeping
fuel poverty and debt advice services
violence against women and girls and domestic violence
social justice (looking at ways to create a fairer Scotland)
third sector including social economy and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)

Learn about Committees and what they do

Find out how to get involved in the work of committees

Next meeting of the committee

Start time: 9:00am, Thursday 19 February 2026

Location: T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room

Agenda:

Decisions on taking business in private
Subordinate legislation
Subordinate legislation
Funeral Support Payment
Funeral Support Payment
Financial considerations when leaving an abusive relationship

Full agenda and other meeting papers

Dates for future meetings

The Social Justice and Social Security Committee usually meets weekly on Thursdays.

Previous meetings of the committee

See all meetings of the committee

Work of the Committee

Work of the Committee: Current work

Financial considerations when leaving an abusive relationship

Reducing drug deaths in Scotland and tackling problem drug use

Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill

Work of the Committee: Completed work

Budget scrutiny 2025-26: Third-sector funding principles

Carer's Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill

Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill

Framework for the resource spending review

Homelessness and rough sleeping

Inquiry into child poverty and parental employment

Post-legislative scrutiny of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017

Poverty and Inequality Commission

Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill

Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan

The extra costs of living with a disability

Violence against women and girls

Work of the Committee: Correspondence

Correspondence

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Addressing child poverty through parental employment

10 February 2026

Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, 10 February 2026

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Financial Considerations When Leaving an Abusive Relationship

6 February 2026

Letter from the Minister for Equalities, 6 February 2026

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Inquiry into Conditions for Agricultural Workers on Tied and Temporary Visas

6 February 2026

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands, 6 February 2026

See all of this committee's correspondence

Work of the Committee: Official Reports of meetings

Official Reports of meetings

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, and Social Justice and Social Security Committee (Joint Meeting)

Meeting date: Thursday, February 12, 2026

Decision on Taking Business in Private

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, February 5, 2026

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Budget Scrutiny 2026-27, Subordinate Legislation

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Subordinate Legislation, Scottish Fiscal Commission

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, January 22, 2026

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Social Security Scotland

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, January 15, 2026

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Two-child Cap

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Local Housing Allowance

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, December 18, 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private, United Kingdom Child Poverty Strategy

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Interests, Decision on Taking Business in Private, Social Security Independent Advocacy Service

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, November 27, 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Adult Disability Payment, Subordinate Legislation

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, November 20, 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

See all of this committee's Official Reports

Work of the Committee: Reports

Committee reports

Social Security (Residence and Presence Requirements) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft]

Published: 10 February 2026

Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021 (Consequential and Supplementary Amendments) Regulations 2026 [draft]

Published: 06 February 2026

Stage 1 report on the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill

Published: 19 December 2025

Lead committee report by the Social Justice and Social Security Committee on the general principles of the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill.

See all of this committee's reports

Work of the Committee: Committee Remit

To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and matters related to homelessness and rough sleeping, fuel poverty, and welfare and debt advice services within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Housing.