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What has been fascinating through the two evidence sessions this morning is the contradictions. In response to Alexander Stewart, there was an acceptance that we are not where we should be and that we are still failing. From Fiona McFarlane, there has been real enthusiasm about the commitment from so many individuals to deliver on the Promise and about the good work that is being done.

From Joanne McMeeking, we heard that there is a very progressive structure, but its effectiveness is patchy within authorities and departments, and that a big review is not what is needed. Rather, what is needed is a sustained commitment to make all the bits come together and happen.

Also, in response to Fergus Ewing’s questions there was appreciation that the situation is not necessarily assisted by employment funding models, which make it difficult for some people to see the attraction in jobs.

I was about to sum up, but I am wondering whether Carol Mochan has a question. I have omitted to ask whether she would like to ask one, so I will come to Carol before I rush to a peroration.

That is great—thank you very much.

Those who are following our proceedings this morning will know that we just heard from the petitioner, Jasmin-Kasaya Pilling, and Laura Pasternak from Who Cares? Scotland. As trailed, we now move to a round-table discussion, and I am delighted to welcome Joanne McMeeking from CELCIS, which is the centre for excellence for children’s care and protection; Megan Farr from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland; and Fiona McFarlane from The Promise Scotland.

We continue our consideration of petition PE1958. We had hoped to be joined by representatives of the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum, but it is unable to meet us at this time.

We move straight to questions. You listened to the evidence that we heard from Laura Pasternak and Jasmin-Kasaya Pilling, and there were positives in all that as well as the issues that arise from the petition, which they identified as being the real problem. How are aftercare and continuing care currently working in Scotland, and to what extent did you recognise and empathise with the issues that were identified a few moments ago? Any one of you can volunteer to jump in.

Jasmin, in your opening remarks, you movingly referred to the fact that some young people who were not able to navigate the right pathway ended up losing their lives as a consequence. What circumstances do you think prevailed on them that led to that being the case? Was it frustration, bewilderment, a loss or what?

Essentially, you are saying that you had a robust experience; that it was made so not so much by design but by accident and chance, through the advocacy that was extended to you because of connections through family and friends at that time; and that, for many other people, that is just not their experience.

It is an overwhelming experience for someone who is vulnerable in the first place, and for some, it becomes too overwhelming.

When you say that the provision is patchy, do you mean that provision is patchy between geographical areas or that, within any geographical area, the provision can be patchy?

We will now consider further continued petitions with PE1610, on upgrading the A75, and PE1657, on upgrading the A77.

PE1610, which was lodged by Matt Halliday, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to upgrade the A75 Euro-route to dual carriageway for its entirety as soon as possible. PE1657, which was lodged by Donald McHarrie on behalf of A77 Action Group, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to dual the A77 from Ayr Whitletts roundabout south to the two ferry ports located at Cairnryan, including the point at which the A77 connects with the A75.

We previously considered the petitions at our meeting on 28 September, when we agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. The committee has received a response from Jenny Gilruth, who was the minister at the time, that acknowledges the need for improvements to both roads and highlights that the strategic transport projects review 2

“recommends that safety, resilience and reliability improvements”

be made. The minister notes that the south-west Scotland transport study

“does not recommend ... full dualling”

of either road, but recommends “targeted ... improvements” instead. The submission also states that a delivery plan to prioritise STPR2 will be released later this year.

We have received written submissions from both petitioners, drawing our attention to a newly published A75 and A77 economic impacts report, which was commissioned by Dumfries and Galloway Council, South Ayrshire Council and Mid and East Antrim Council and was undertaken by independent transport consultancy Sweco UK. The study found that dualling would bring £5 billion of “positive benefits” to the UK economy, such as reduced journey times and vehicle operating costs.

Finlay Carson is unable to join us this morning, but he, too, has provided us with a written submission. He has also highlighted the report, noting its finding that dualling would bring

“environmental gains, including CO₂ emissions reduction.”

I have also received—and I hope that colleagues, too, have received it—a submission from Emma Harper MSP in which she reiterates her support for the petition and draws attention to objectives, recommendations that have been made and her work with the representative action groups.

Colleagues, on the basis of the submissions that we have received, what recommendations would you like to make?

The clerks have absorbed the suggestions that have been made in the discussion. We look forward to hearing from the minister and, indeed, from the First Minister, who would benefit from the commitment to, enthusiasm for and sustainability in his cause that young Callum Isted has managed to offer.

Is the committee agreed that we do so, while noting and understanding the continuing situation for a significant number of people, which is not now so obviously in the public eye, as they continue to deal with the ramifications of Covid-19?

Members indicated agreement.