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, poverty and homelessness
- the social security system in Scotland
- 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)
Next meeting
17th Meeting, 2022
Agenda: Decision on taking business in private, Inquiry into low income and debt problems, Scottish Commission on Social Security, Inquiry into low income and debt problems, Scottish Commission on Social Security, Annual report
09:30am, 26 May 2022
T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room
Get in touch
If you want to get in touch, you can contact Claire Menzies, the Clerk for the committee.
Address: The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5320 Find out about call charges.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @SP_SJSS
If you're appearing as a witness at a committee, take a look at our witness guide for more information.
Members
Members of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Current Members
Elena Whitham
Convener
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Constituency)
Natalie Don
Deputy Convener
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: Renfrewshire North and West (Constituency)
Jeremy Balfour
Member
Party: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for: Lothian (Region)
Miles Briggs
Member
Party: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for: Lothian (Region)
Foysol Choudhury
Member
Party: Scottish Labour
MSP for: Lothian (Region)
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Member
Party: Scottish Labour
MSP for: Glasgow (Region)
Paul McLennan
Member
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: East Lothian (Constituency)
Emma Roddick
Member
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: Highlands and Islands (Region)
Substitute Members
Mark Griffin
Substitute Member
Party: Scottish Labour
MSP for: Central Scotland (Region)
Rachael Hamilton
Substitute Member
Party: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for: Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Constituency)
Evelyn Tweed
Substitute Member
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: Stirling (Constituency)
Committee work
Current
Previous
Future
The Committee has been holding one-off evidence sessions to find out what future work may be needed in these areas throughout the session.
The Committee has agreed to look at the following issues in 2022:
Refugee and asylum
The Committee are considering what further work we might do in this area, following meetings in February 2022.
Year-round budget scrutiny
The Committee made reaching the child poverty interim targets for 2023 the main theme of its first pre-budget scrutiny of 2022-23. The Parliament and Scottish Government need to give this issue their sustained focus to reduce the number of children growing up in poverty. We will also take evidence on the framework for a resource spending review and on the review itself.
Delivering new benefits
Delivery of new Scottish benefits is a huge project that is currently scheduled to continue to 2026. This provides an opportunity to undertake session-long scrutiny. The Committee's page on delivery of benefits will be updated as work progresses throughout the session. This will include the consideration of:
- specific regulations, like Adult Disability Payment
- costs of delivery
- implementation of the social security programme by Social Security Scotland
Some of the specific benefits that the Committee will look at in 2022 are Low Income Winter Heating Assistance and Scottish Carer's Allowance. The Committee will continue to develop its future work programme and decisions made will be noted in the meeting minutes. Please contact the Committee for further information.
Correspondence
Committee correspondence
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Scottish Government response to letter about independent covid inquiry following VAWAG session
Letter from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery, 18 May 2022
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Scottish Government response to refugee and asylum seekers bus travel letter
Letter from Minister for Transport, 13 May 2022
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Scottish Covid19 Inquiry response to letter following VAWAG session
Letter from Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry, 6 May 2022
Official Reports
Official Reports
Meeting date: Thursday, May 12, 2022
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Low Income and Debt Inquiry
Meeting date: Thursday, April 28, 2022
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Low Income and Debt Inquiry
Meeting date: Thursday, April 21, 2022
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Interests, Decision on Taking Business in Private, Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022 to 2026
Reports
Committee reports
Subordinate Legislation considered by the Social Justice and Social Security Committee on 31 March
This report sets out the Social Justice and Social Security Committee's consideration of a Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) at its meeting on 31 March 2022.
This report sets out the Social Justice and Social Security Committee's consideration of a Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) at its meeting on 17 March 2022.
Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Nationality and Borders Bill (UK Legislation)
This report sets out the Social Justice and Social Security Committee's consideration of the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Nationality and Borders Bill , which is UK legislation.
Remit
To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, excluding matters relating to local government, housing and planning.