Committee
Social Justice and Social Security Committee 19 February 2026 [Draft]
19 Feb 2026 · S6 · Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Social Security (Up-rating) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [Draft]
Yes. We have looked at the issue more than once since we began the journey in relation to social security. I am certainly content with the position that we have at the moment, and it is important that we look to question the policy position if there is a substantive change of the sort that I have mentioned.
In the same item of business
The Convener
SNP
Our next item is consideration of two draft Scottish statutory instruments. The instruments were laid under the affirmative procedure, which means that the P...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (Shirley-Anne Somerville)
SNP
Thank you very much, convener, and good morning. I welcome the opportunity to speak to the draft uprating regulations and order.The Scottish Government is cl...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you, cabinet secretary. We will now move to questions. Our questions on both instruments will be directed to you, but I reiterate that you are welcome ...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
Good morning. I think that we have had this discussion before, but will the Scottish Government change the legislative basis of the best start foods payment ...
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
In 2025, we extended the legal obligation to uprate in line with inflation so that it applies to all the benefits that are delivered under the Social Securit...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
When will the Government next review its options for uprating? The reason I ask is that, as I see from the briefing, the Scottish Commission on Social Securi...
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
I note what the Scottish Commission on Social Security said in its response, but I would say that the work that has been undertaken around that, which has be...
Bob Doris
SNP
So, rather than reviewing the uprating options at a set time in the future, the approach would be to review them when required, based on events and circumsta...
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
Yes. We have looked at the issue more than once since we began the journey in relation to social security. I am certainly content with the position that we h...
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Good morning. When considering medium-term financial planning, how does the Scottish Government take account of the possibility that inflation might differ f...
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
As the committee is aware, the Government uses the Scottish Fiscal Commission’s independent forecasts for the budget and medium-term financial planning, whic...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you. We now move to formal consideration of motions S6M-20533 and S6M-20602.Motions moved,That the Social Justice and Social Security Committee recomme...
The Convener
SNP
The committee will report on the outcome for both instruments in due course, and I invite the committee to delegate authority to me as convener to approve dr...
The Convener
SNP
I thank the cabinet secretary and her officials for providing evidence today.I suspend the meeting to allow for a change of witnesses.09:11Meeting suspended....