Minutes: 10 February 2026

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 7, 8 and 9 in private.

2. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 and the Reach (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 (UK statutory instrument proposals) from—

3. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating in a devolved area as set out in the following UK statutory instrument proposal—

The Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026

The Committee agreed (by division: For 5, Against 1, Abstentions 0) that the provision set out in the notification should be included in the UK statutory instrument. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government with its decision and drawing attention to some issues raised in its scrutiny.

4. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating in a devolved area as set out in the following UK statutory instrument proposal—

The Reach (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

The Committee agreed that the provision set out in the notification should be included in the UK statutory instrument. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government with its decision and drawing attention to some issues raised in its scrutiny.

5. Draft Climate Change Plan:

The Committee took evidence from—

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy supported by, Philip Raines, Deputy Director for Domestic Climate Change and Edward McHardy, Economic Adviser, Scottish Government.

In relation to questions on agriculture Edward Mountain declared an interest as a partner in a family farming partnership in Moray.

6. Budget Scrutiny 2026-27:

The Committee took evidence on the Scottish Government's Budget 2026-27 from—

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy supported by, Annabel Turpie, Director in DG Net Zero and Karen Thomas, Head of Climate Action and Energy Portfolio Finance, Scottish Government.

7. Draft Climate Change Plan (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

8. Budget Scrutiny 2026-27 (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

9. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. The Committee agreed to consider a paper on stage 2 of the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill at their next meeting.