Summary

  • John Swinney tells the Holyrood chamber that he does not currently see a need for establishing a Scottish grooming gangs inquiry

  • Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay urges the first minister to back an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill - which MSPs will vote on next week - calling for such an inquiry

  • Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accuses the government of having a "soft-touch approach" to shoplifting which he says is up 124% since the last election

  • Swinney calls the charge "baseless", adding that the comment is "unworthy of the Labour leader in the Scottish parliament"

  • You can keep your eyes and ears on events from the Holyrood chamber by clicking on the Watch live icon, above, from just before 12:00

Live Reporting

Edited by Paul McLaren

  1. Will the new justice bill make a difference? - Findlay

    Russell Findlay says during his time as an MSP he has campaigned to help victims of crime navigate a “slow, secretive and unjust” system.

    He says “My party has campaigned to give victims a voice and greater rights to basic information.”

    He adds that the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill is welcome but doesn’t go far enough.

    He asks the first minister if he thinks the bill will “make a material difference to victims?”

  2. Findlay kicks off with justice reforms

    Russell Findlay

    Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay gets this week's FMQs up and running with an early focus on the justice system in Scotland.

  3. FMQs about to get under way

    John Swinney is in his seat in the Holyrood chamber and this week's First Minister's Questions is about to begin. Stick with us for full coverage and analysis

  4. Analysis

    Back to domestic duties for Swinney after Trump visit

    Philip Sim
    Scotland political correspondent

    John Swinney has had quite a week, having held talks with Donald Trump in the White House about whisky tariffs.

    That trip actually touches on a second major news story, given he was there alongside Peter Mandelson - who has since been sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the US.

    But the first minister will be back to more domestic duties today.

    Questions about payoffs at Glasgow City Council, nursing and midwifery vacancies and rising demand for dental services have already been tabled.

    There is continued debate about immigration, and the use of hotels to house asylum seekers - Swinney had some very strong words for the Tories about their decision to table a motion about that yesterday.

    There are also headlines today about the legislation to scrap the not proven verdict in Scotland’s courts, with the justice reforms to be voted on next Tuesday.

    Holyrood is going to get busier and busier as we head towards the end of term in March - both with work to finish off legislation, and as leaders build their election campaign platforms.

  5. What can we expect at this week's FMQs?

    Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar are already playing the not-so-long game as they eye next year's Scottish elections.

    So will they stick to the well-trodden path of focusing on the government's record on the justice system or the NHS?

    It all kicks off at 12:00 and we'll find out then.

  6. Welcome

    a woman with shoulder-length black hair and wearing a red jacket is carrying black folders. She is stranding next to a bald man with glasses who is wearing a dark suit, white shirt and purble tiegatty

    John Swinney with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of this week's First Minister's Questions.

    This will be the second time John Swinney has faced a grilling from opposition party leaders and backbenchers since MSPs returned to Holyrood after summer recess.

    We'll bring you full coverage and analysis and you can watch and listen to events from the chamber by clicking on the Watch live icon at the top of this page just before 12:00.