Minutes: 05 March 2026

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4, 5 and 6 in private.

2. Job Start Payment:

The Committee took evidence from—

Graeme Hendry, Head of Government, Parliamentary and Stakeholder Engagement, Skills Development Scotland;

Zara Kitson, Senior Head of Government Partnerships, King's Trust;

Karyn Dunning, Chief Operating Officer, Social Security Scotland;

Jo Derrick, CEO, Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (Staf).

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Council Tax Reduction (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/56)

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

4. Job Start Payment (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard under item 2.

5. National Performance Framework (In Private):

The Committee agreed the issues to be included in its response to the Scottish Government's consultation on its review of the National Performance Framework.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee agreed to consider a draft annual report and draft legacy report in private at next week’s meeting.