Social Justice and Social Security Committee
24th Meeting, 2025
The Committee agreed to take items 3 and 4 in private.
The Committee took evidence as part of its Pre-Budget Scrutiny from—
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Julie Humphreys, Director Tackling Child Poverty & Social Justice, James Wallace, Deputy Director, Social Justice Finance Lead, and Ian Davidson, Deputy Director, Social Security Policy, Scottish Government.
Jeremy Balfour declared an interest as a recipient of Adult Disability Payment.
The Committee considered the evidence heard under item 2.
The Committee received a briefing on the Bill at Stage 1.
The Committee considered its work programme. Elena Whitman provided an update of a visit on the subject of temporary and tied visas. The Committee agreed: to hold an evidence session on the Two-Child Limit Payment (Scotland) Regulations 2026; to seek an update from the Scottish Government on the impact of the Tackling Fuel Poverty Strategy; to write to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the draft Climate Change Plan; to hold an evidence session on the Local Housing Allowance; to write to the Scottish Government, the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, the Economy and Fair Work Committee, and the Education, Children and Young People Committee seeking an update on the inquiry into Addressing Child Poverty Through Parental Employment; to write to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee regarding the Ending Destitution Together workplan; to write to the Education, Children and Young People Committee and the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee to determine whether they are planning any work on parenting adult children; to seek, before the the end of the session an update from the Scottish Government on the implementation and impact of the recommendations within the report Financial Considerations When Leaving an Abusive Relationship; and to write to the Scottish and UK Governments seeking an update on the impact of measures to support those on low incomes with managing debt.