Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Poverty and Inequality Commission
Background
The Poverty and Inequality Commission provides independent advice and scrutiny to Scottish Ministers on poverty and inequality.
The Commission should be composed of a Chair and between four and eight members. Scottish Ministers may appoint a chair or member of the Commission only if the Scottish Parliament has approved the appointment. The Social Justice and Social Security Committee scrutinises and makes recommendations to the Parliament on appointments.
The Chair of the Commission and three of its Members resigned during a re-appointment process that began in mid-2023.
In September, the Scottish Government received agreement from the Ethical Standards Commissioner to appoint:
- a Chair - Professor Stephen Sinclair
- two new Commissioners - Tressa Burke and Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick
These appointments were made on a short-term, emergency basis.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, has invited the Committee to scrutinise these appointments. The Committee reported on these short- term appointments.
Report on short-term appointments to the Poverty and Inequality Commission
A new appointment round has begun for the Chair and Members of the Commission.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, has invited the Committee to scrutinise appointments to the Commission. The Committee reported on these appointments.
Report on Poverty and Inequality Commission: Public Appointments