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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 15 August 2025
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Displaying 350 contributions

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Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 28 September 2023

Roz McCall

Good morning, everyone. I thank the cabinet secretary for the full and frank answers that she has given us. They are very helpful.

I was flicking through my notes and I noted that, last week, Judith Paterson stated that overpayments are “an inevitable consequence” of the process. I appreciate what you have said about overpayments in the answers that you have given so far, but it also came up at last week’s meeting that Social Security Scotland will not seek to recover overpayments of less than £65. What is the Scottish Government’s response to views that that amount should be set higher, and how will we monitor any possible overspends or budget concerns that might come from considering any variance on the amount of £65?

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 28 September 2023

Roz McCall

That will be monitored going forward.

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2024-25

Meeting date: 28 September 2023

Roz McCall

Alison, could you also give me an answer? It sounds like that participation is not happening at the moment and is really difficult to bring in. Am I right in thinking that?

Criminal Justice Committee, Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, Social Justice and Social Security Committee (Joint Meeting)

Drug Deaths and Drug Harm

Meeting date: 26 September 2023

Roz McCall

I did, convener. First and foremost, you can spot the new girl in the room; I apologise for sitting quietly so far. I thank all the witnesses, because for the past hour and a half or so, I have been listening intently to the evidence, which has been very informative.

Tracey McFall made a point that, to me, in my lack of knowledge, sounded as if it was alluding to the national specification for a treatment and recovery system that should be in place across Scotland, which was mentioned earlier.

I know that we have moved on a bit, but I want to come back on that, because I am interested in hearing your opinion. How should we prioritise the creation of a national specification? Where are we on that and what are your thoughts on it? I know that I am taking a slightly different angle in the questioning, but it was alluded to in your evidence.

Tracey, perhaps you would not mind starting, and if anyone else wants to come in on that, they can do so.

Criminal Justice Committee, Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, Social Justice and Social Security Committee (Joint Meeting)

Drug Deaths and Drug Harm

Meeting date: 26 September 2023

Roz McCall

It certainly does. I would be interested to know whether anyone else has any comments on that.

There is not a thing—good.

Criminal Justice Committee, Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, Social Justice and Social Security Committee (Joint Meeting)

Drug Deaths and Drug Harm

Meeting date: 26 September 2023

Roz McCall

I understand that. Thank you. I have no more questions.

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Decision on Taking Business in Private

Meeting date: 21 September 2023

Roz McCall

I will rephrase my question slightly. My understanding is that the complexities would add to the stigma, and I just really wanted your comments on that. Do you agree that that is the situation?

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2024-25

Meeting date: 21 September 2023

Roz McCall

We have skirted around this issue already, but I would like to put a bit more detail on it. My question is for Bill Scott, and also for Emma Congreve, if you would not mind making just a wee comment.

In your submission, Bill, you say, on raising revenue, that in addition to prioritising spend, the Scottish Government will need to “raise additional revenue” to make full use of its devolved tax powers. Can you explain your views on how the Government does not currently utilise its tax powers and tell us what your tax working group is considering?

I put it to you that there is a tax structure that could be used and that changing to that structure would be within devolved tax powers. I am interested in whether you think that that is worth looking at.

There is a little bit of a mix there, but I would be grateful, Bill and Emma, if you could come back on that.

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Decision on Taking Business in Private

Meeting date: 21 September 2023

Roz McCall

Marie McNair has raised some valid points with Judith Paterson and Fiona Collie. As Judith Paterson said, overpayments are an inevitable consequence, but we are looking at how Social Security Scotland can minimise the issue. That raises the question of what we do when there is an inevitable consequence. What do you suggest that we should do when overpayments occur? We are talking about what we need to do, but I am interested in what you think we should do.

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2024-25

Meeting date: 21 September 2023

Roz McCall

Thank you, Bill. I am sorry to cut in, but I am really interested in hearing what Emma Congreve has to say. I have got the gist of what you are saying, but, if I do not have a chance to hear Emma, we will have to move on.