Amendment of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 20172.

(1)

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 20173 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 8 (Poverty and Inequality Commission), for subsection (2) substitute—

“(2)

In addition to the functions conferred on it by this Act, the functions of the Commission are—

(a)

to advise the Scottish Ministers on any matter relating to poverty or inequality in Scotland, including the impact of their policies and use of resources in reducing such poverty and inequality,

(b)

to monitor progress in reducing poverty and inequality in Scotland,

(c)

to promote the reduction of poverty and inequality in Scotland.

(2A)

The Commission may do such things as it considers appropriate for the performance of its functions, including in particular—

(a)

gathering evidence,

(b)

carrying out research,

(c)

preparing and publishing such reports as it considers appropriate.

(2B)

The Commission must publish any advice it provides to the Scottish Ministers.”.

(3)

In the schedule, in paragraph 1 (membership)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (1)(b) (number of members additional to chairing member), for “2 but no more than 4” substitute “4 but no more than 8”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (4) (experience and knowledge of proposed members), for the words from “securing” to the end of that sub-paragraph substitute—

“(a)

securing that the Commission (taken as a whole) has experience in and knowledge of—

(i)

the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policy relating to poverty and inequality,

(ii)

research in connection with poverty and inequality,

(iii)

working with persons experiencing poverty or inequality (or both), and

(b)

the Commission’s membership including persons who have experienced poverty or inequality (or both).”.