Minutes: 19 February 2026

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

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

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Social Security Up-rating (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] and the Social Security (Up-rating) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] from—

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Kyle Murray, Procedural and International Policy Team Leader, Social Security Policy, and Fiona Bowen, Lawyer, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice) moved—

S6M-20533—That the Social Justice and Social Security Committee recommends that the Social Security Up-rating (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to. 

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice) moved—

S6M-20602—That the Social Justice and Social Security Committee recommends that the Social Security (Up-rating) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to. 

The Committee agreed to delegate to the Convener finalisation of a report on the instruments.

4. Funeral Support Payment:

The Committee took evidence from—

John Halliday, Chair, Caledonia Funeral Aid;

Adam Stachura, Associate Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs, Age Scotland;

Andrew Purves, Chief Operating Officer & Director, William Purves Funeral Directors;

Jim Brodie, Brodies Funeral Services, National Association of Funeral Directors;

Gerry Boyle, Regional Manager, Dignity Funeral Directors.

5. Funeral Support Payment (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard under item 4.

6. Financial considerations when leaving an abusive relationship (In Private):

The Committee considered correspondence from the Minister for Equalities. The Committee agreed to refer to this issue in its legacy report.