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Cabinet secretary, I have been in touch with you previously about the issues around skilled worker visas for our fish-processing sector. The sector has grave concerns about the move, given that up to about 80 per cent of its workers, including those in some of the businesses in my constituency, are immigrants.

I understand that the issue is reserved. Nonetheless, have there been any talks with the new UK Government on whether it, along with the Scottish Government, can come up with ideas to give the sector some confidence and to alleviate the stress being caused to businesses by the precarious nature of the current arrangements, given the increased thresholds? As you know, the issue has been a big concern.

I am really grateful to stand here today to speak about one of the most pressing issues that we face in Scotland, which is child poverty. It is a call to create a society where every child, no matter their life circumstances, can realise their full potential and where every child has a full tummy, a home fit for purpose and clothing that they feel comfortable and happy in.

Writing this speech gave me cause to reflect on moments of my own life, as I am sure that we all do when pondering issues for debate. I remember back to a time in my life when I was scared for the future of my children, when I became a newly single mother. My circumstances changed unexpectedly, and the challenges that lay ahead felt overwhelming, but because of the safety net of our welfare system, my children and I were able to remain stable. I did not have to move them from their home, their schools or their friends, and I could focus on ensuring that they had food, shelter and, most importantly, security. That support was crucial to our wellbeing. Today, five of my children are in further education and I am here in this Parliament, serving my community. Without that safety net, my story might have been very different. That is the reality for many families.

Poverty is not just a statistic; it is a barrier that can prevent children from achieving their dreams and from fulfilling their potential. When we talk about realising potential, we are talking about more than just individual success. The realisation of potential is good for the child and their family, but it goes further than that: it is good for our communities, it is good for our economy and, ultimately, it is good for our country. When children grow up with opportunities, they become adults who contribute to society in meaningful ways. A society where potential is fulfilled is a society that thrives. I am grateful that my country invested in me and my children, so that we can now pay that back.

However, potential can be realised only when the roadblocks are removed. The barriers that poverty creates, be they financial, social or educational, are often dictated by the circumstances that a child is born into. It is our responsibility to remove those barriers and ensure that every child has the chance to succeed, no matter their background.

What I have come to realise, through my personal experience and my work here in the Parliament, is how often we overlook welfare as an investment. Welfare is not a burden on society—it is a crucial investment in the health, happiness and productivity of our people. By ensuring that people have the support that they need, we are laying the groundwork for a thriving economy and a stronger, more cohesive society.

Welfare goes further than simply preventing immediate hardship. Through the provision of welfare, we are setting the stage for long-term success. Children who grow up with food security, stable housing and access to education are more likely to become healthy, productive adults who can contribute positively. The contrary causes pressure on public services and feeds the criminal justice system.

As I thought about the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling child poverty, I pictured two possible futures for a child—one with support and one without it. Let us take a child named Scott, who was born into financial hardship. Their future could follow two very different paths.

In one scenario, Scott’s parents receive a baby box that is filled with essentials for those early months and they get the Scottish child payment. That small financial lifeline helps them to keep the heating on, to put healthy meals on the table and maybe even to enjoy a family day out. Scott goes to a nursery where they receive free, quality education, giving them the best start in life. The parents, relieved of childcare costs, can balance work and home life, and they slowly build a stable future.

In another scenario, there is no baby box and no child payment. The family struggles to afford the basics and the stress spills over into Scott’s life. With no free childcare, the parents face an impossible choice: stay at home to care for Scott or take on extra work, leaving Scot without that crucial early education. The family remains stuck in survival mode and Scott struggles to get ahead of their peers.

Free school meals and affordable housing are more than just policies. They make the difference between children like Scott having the chance to thrive and their being held back by circumstances beyond their control. The provision of such measures is not just support; it is an investment in our children, our communities, our NHS and our country’s future. When we break down the barriers of poverty, every child can have a myriad of opportunities opened to them.

As much as we seek to strive to tackle child poverty here in Scotland, we are confined by devolution. Without the full powers of independence, we are reliant on the UK Government exercising those powers that we do not hold. The UK Government’s policies include the two-child limit on benefits, the cap on universal credit and a welfare system that fails to guarantee even the most basic essentials. The UK Government could choose to remove those poverty-causing barriers and lift an additional 40,000 children in Scotland out of poverty.

At a time when Tory and now Labour austerity continues putting pressure on public finances, we must all call on the UK Government to follow in the footsteps of the Scottish Government and prioritise the eradication of child poverty. We must never forget that investing in our children’s future is not a cost—it is a benefit.

Minister, you spoke about the fact that the bill does not have enforcement powers—those teeth—in it. Could I get your views on some of the general powers in the bill, which are to promote awareness and understanding, to keep law, policy and practice under review, to promote best practice, and to publish research? What are your thoughts on those?

Thank you so much.

That concludes our business in public this morning. I thank the minister and her officials once again for attending. We will now move into private to discuss the remaining two items on our agenda.

There was some concern that the investigation powers in the Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill would not be powerful enough. What do you think would make investigation powers have more impact?

Good morning, and welcome to the 17th meeting in 2024, in session 6, of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. This morning, we continue to take evidence on the Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill. I refer members to papers 1 and 2.

I warmly welcome Kaukab Stewart, the Minister for Equalities, who joins us with Government officials Amanda Gordon, who is the strategic lead on anti-racism and disability equality policy; Michelle Harrity, who is a senior policy manager on disability equality policy; and Jennifer Singerman, who is a solicitor in the legal directorate. Good morning to you all, and thank you for coming.

Before we move on to questions from the committee, I invite the minister to give an opening statement.

What could give the bill more powers in relation to investigation?

You have indicated that the Government is neutral on the bill. You previously said that it

“does not meet the Scottish Government’s required threshold to warrant the creation of a new body.”

Has that changed in any way since the bill’s introduction and during our stage 1 inquiry?

There has been strong support from disabled people for the establishment of a disability commissioner. What is your response to that?

We will move on to questions from Maggie Chapman.