The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee wants to see the Scottish Parliament continue its “cutting-edge” approach to embedding “deliberative democracy” in its work.

It follows the series of ‘People’s Panels’ which brought together groups of randomly selected people, who reflect the makeup of the Scottish population, to learn about and discuss an issue, before making recommendations about what action should happen and how things should change to tackle it.

The committee has published a plan as to how People’s Panels could be rolled out from the start of the new parliamentary term in 2026.

Committee convener, Jackson Carlaw MSP, said: “The idea that the people of Scotland can and should play an important role in the work of the Scottish Parliament forms part of its founding principles. Engaging better with communities, particularly when understanding whether laws and policies that affect them are working properly, is essential.

“We have seen how people’s panels have positively impacted the work of committees by supporting their role scrutinising Scottish government policy and driving recommendations for change.

“By giving committees access to this innovative tool, Parliament can better connect with individuals, groups and communities from every part of Scotland, building trust between the public and politics, and involving the public directly in the important issues of the day.”

The plan sets out proposals for four people’s panels to operate in the next session of the Scottish Parliament, one a year from 2027 to 2030. It also provides clear guidance and criteria for how and when a panel can be used, what the selection process should be and how committees use and respond to their work.

The most recent People’s Panels took place in 2024 – one on climate change and the other looking at reducing drug harm and deaths.

These brought together two groups of approximately 25 randomly selected citizens who broadly reflected Scotland’s demographics across gender, age, region, ethnicity, disability and educational level. Tasked by committees to answer a question, they spent two weekends learning about the given topic, hearing from and questioning subject experts, before debating, deliberating and making informed recommendations to the relevant Scottish Parliament committee involved.

The panels’ recommendations had a direct impact on scrutinising legislation and have since influenced policy, informed debates, and been used by MSPs suggesting amendments to legislation.

Of the 19 recommendations that were made by the People’s Panel on reducing drug harm and deaths, the Scottish government accepted, either in full or in principle, the 18 recommendations directed at them. One recommendation was for further Parliamentary scrutiny focused on drug supply in the prison sector, which is being taken forward by the Criminal Justice Committee.

The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee’s recommendations are set to be debated by the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 3rd June.