Minutes: 27 November 2025

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4, 5 and 6 in private. It also agreed that its consideration of the approach to the two-child limit policy and the approach to the draft Stage 1 report on the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill should be taken in private at future meetings.

2. Adult Disability Payments:

The Committee took evidence from—

Edel Harris OBE, former Chair, Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment;

and then from—

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, and Erin McGinley, Senior Auditor, Performance Audit & Best Value, Audit Scotland.

Jeremy Balfour declared an interest as a recipient of Adult Disability Payment.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/341)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

4. Adult Disability Payments (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard under item 2.

5. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. The Committee agreed its approach to an evidence session on the Local Housing Allowance.

6. Correspondence (In Private):

The Committee agreed draft letters to the Scottish Government regarding the Job Start Payment and Funeral Expenses Payment, and to the National Association of Funeral Directors regarding Funeral Expenses Payment.