Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting Minutes
7th Meeting, 2022
- Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022
- Session: 6
- Location: T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room
- Meeting opened at: 09:00
- Meeting closed at: 11:39
- Published: Thursday, February 10, 2022 01:06pm
Committee Members Attendees
- Elena Whitham (Convener)
- Natalie Don (Deputy Convener)
- Jeremy Balfour (Member)
- Miles Briggs (Member)
- Foysol Choudhury (Member)
- Pam Duncan-Glancy (Member)
- Marie McNair (Member)
- Emma Roddick (Member)
Also Present
Pam Gosal
1 Decision on taking business in private:
The Committee agreed to take items 3, 4 and 5 in private.
2 Refugees and Asylum Seekers:
The Committee took evidence from—
Graham O'Neill, Policy Manager, Scottish Refugee Council;
Andy Sirel, Legal Director & Partner, JustRight Scotland;
Lidia Dancu, JustCitizens Member, JustRight Scotland;
and then from—
Hassan Darasi, Challenging Violence Against Women project manager, Community Infosource;
Phil Arnold, Head of Refugee Services – Scotland, Wales and N Ireland, British Red Cross;
Maggie Lennon, Director, Bridges Programmes;
Pinar Aksu, Human Rights and Advocacy Coordinator, Maryhill Integration Network.
3 Refugees and Asylum Seekers (in private):
The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.
4 Nationality and Borders Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (in private):
The Committee considered the legislative consent memorandum lodged by Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government (LCM (S6) 14) and agreed to publish a short, factual report.
5 Work programme (in private):
The Committee agreed its approach to an inquiry into debt.