Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee 28 January 2025
I thank the minister for the engagement that we have had on my amendments 539 and 540 in this group. The substantive amendment is 540, and amendment 539 would enable it to happen. I also thank the consumer panel and the SLCC for their correspondence on the issue, and I note their strong support for the amendments.
The consumer panel remains concerned that there is not always clarity about what would be sufficient resourcing, and it is looking to similar panels elsewhere that have funding and where there is administrative and secretariat support. There needs to be an on-going conversation between the SLCC and the consumer panel to ensure that there is a shared understanding on that. I would welcome hearing the minister’s view on that in her closing speech.
Amendments 539 and 540 will help to ensure that there is funding for the consumer panel to do the work that it needs to do. We need to ensure that the funding is sufficient and transparent. The panel is concerned that it might be seen as optional and discretionary, so we need a clear statement on that this morning. We have heard from the minister that it is the Scottish Government’s intent that the panel be adequately funded to do the job that it needs to do, and that is the committee’s intent, too.
I ask colleagues to support the two amendments in my name. I will support the other amendments in the group, which are in the name of the minister.