1. Subordinate legislation (In Private):

The Committee considered a draft report on the Winter Heating Assistance (Pension Age) (Scotland) Regulations 2024. The report was agreed for publication.

2. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 (In Private):

The Committee considered a draft report. Various changes were agreed to, and the report was agreed for publication.

3. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 7 in private.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Scotland Act 1998 (Agency Arrangements) (Specification) Order 2024

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

5. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Funeral Expense Assistance (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 [draft]  from—

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Posy Musgrave, Team Leader – Early Years and Funeral Support and Barbara Hughes, Lawyer, Scottish Government .

6. Subordinate legislation:

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice) moved—S6M-14591—That the Social Justice and Social Security Committee recommends that the Funeral Expense Assistance (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 [draft] be approved. 

The motion was agreed to. The Committee agreed to delegate to the Convener finalisation of a report on the instrument.

7. Correspondence (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed draft letters to the Scottish Government and COSLA regarding the implementation of the Scottish Welfare Fund action plan. The Committee also considered and agreed a draft letter to the Scottish Government regarding an update to the inquiry into Addressing child poverty through parental employment.