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Good morning and welcome to the Health and Community Care Committee. Agenda item 1 is a petition from the Scottish Warm Homes Campaign on fuel poverty, which has been referred to us by the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee. The Public Petitions Committee suggested that the petition be passed to the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee and the Transport and the Environment Committee, but the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee suggested that it be referred to us. I think that we can understand the reasons for that.
It is important that we do something about the petition and that we take up the broad health agenda. We have been asked to consider the health implications of this issue. A lot of work is being done on that, which it would be well worth our while examining—that would enable us to feed into the work by the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee. I suggest that we appoint a reporter to do some work on that over the summer.
I agree—that would certainly demonstrate joined-up thinking with what we are trying to achieve. We should work in partnership with the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee.
That committee is undertaking a study of the subject and will produce a report on it, but it would be useful if we had a reporter who was willing to participate in its meetings and do some background work on the health implications.
When does the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee aim to report?
Not until after the summer. Its report will be part of its work on the housing bill.
It is essential that we get our work done over the summer, given the winter story and the number of deaths from hypothermia.
We do not need to hear evidence at this stage. The link between bad housing and health is well documented; there has been a lot of research into the subject. I support the suggestion that we appoint a reporter. The second option is to examine the steps that the minister has taken to address the issue—I know that the Executive has been considering it. I hope that we will unravel the budget a bit further and understand it a bit more. Putting money into good housing is a health prevention measure—perhaps that will be something for our agenda in future. Malcolm Chisholm would be an excellent reporter, if he is willing to undertake that duty.
Are you willing to give up part of your summer recess, Malcolm?
Yes.
We will appoint Malcolm Chisholm as the reporter to consider this matter on behalf of the Health and Community Care Committee and to work in tandem with the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee. While he is investigating the issue, he can report to us on whether he would like the committee to take evidence. On Mary Scanlon's point, Malcolm Chisholm can write on our behalf to the Minister for Health and Community Care for information on the steps that have been taken to address this issue and on any plans for the future. Is that agreed?
Yes.
I wish to clarify that we are seeking solutions, as we all accept that the problem exists and do not need much more evidence on that. I want to mention the work force that undertakes improvement work. Sometimes there is a huge logjam and people's homes are not improved because of overwork at certain times of year.
If there are issues that members would like Malcolm Chisholm to cover, they can pass their ideas to him.
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Witness Expenses