Summary

  • First Minister John Swinney is quizzed on measures to tackle knife crime after a spate of incidents including the death of a teenager at Irvine beach

  • Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay says teenagers do not feel safe when they leave the house

  • Swinney says early intervention and education are key but every incident is "one too many"

  • The FM says the long-term trend shows knife crime has fallen after initiatives such as the violence reduction programme

  • Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says many parents are asking how the government has allowed things to get out of control

  • Lorna Slater, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, urges faster action on climate change and higher taxes on polluters

  • Swinney is also questioned on measures to boost the economy, football disorder, support for colleges and the new EU deal

Live Reporting

Edited by Paul McLaren

  1. Background: Teenager's knife death sparks police plea

    Kayden MoyPolice Scotland

    A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Kayden Moy

    A police chief has urged young people not to carry knives, following the death of a teenager last weekend.

    Kayden Moy, 16, from East Kilbride, died after a large disturbance on Irvine beach on Saturday evening. A 17-year-old boy has been charged with his murder.

    There was also a stabbing at Portobello beach in Edinburgh, resulting in a 16-year-old being charged with attempted murder.

    Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said the incidents demonstrated the "tragic consequences" of carrying knives.

    Read more here

  2. Teenagers 'do not feel safe' says Scottish Tory leader

    russell findlayscottish parliament

    Russell Findlay highlights the death of teenager Kayden Moy last weekend on Irvine beach.

    He says there has ben a spate of knife crimes in Scotland recently and that teenagers “do not feel safe” when they leave the house.

    He asks the first minister what action the government is taking on tackling knife crime.

  3. Findlay highlights teenage knife crime

    Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay kicks off today's FMQS session by raising the tragic cases of teenage knife crimes.

  4. FMQs to get under way shortly

    John Swinney is in his chair as we get ready for this week's session of First Minister's Questions.

    Remember, you can follow events from the chamber by clicking on the Watch Live icon at the top of this page.

  5. What's been happening in Scottish politics this week?

    Kate Forbes in a blue suit and john swinney in a dark suit with a white shirt and purple tie walking through the Holyrood buildingGetty Images

    John Swinney will be joined by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes at FMQs

    What's in store for John Swinney?

    Well, today's FMQs comes as it has been revealed Scotland's councils are facing a £647m budget shortfall this year despite an increase in government funding.

    Local authorities are making cuts, hiking taxes, raising charges and drawing on reserves to cover the budget gap, the Accounts Commission watchdog has found.

    Elsewhere, independent experts have proposed a new set of targets to tackle climate change in Scotland over the next 20 years.

    Annual targets were abandoned by the Scottish government last year after repeatedly being missed – but ministers retained the pledge to reach net zero by 2045.

    And of course the fallout continues over Sir Keir Starmer's fishing deal with the EU on access to UK waters.

    We can expect these subjects to be raised during First Minister's Questions, so stick with us.

  6. Welcome

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of First Minister's Questions from Holyrood.

    John Swinney will face this week's grilling from opposition leaders and backbenchers from about 12:00.

    We'll bring you full coverage and analysis here.

    You can also follow events in the chamber by clicking on the Watch Live icon at the top of this page from just before noon.