Summary

  • John Swinney is quizzed about a critical Audit Scotland report.

  • Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay says the government's lack of transparency is putting front-line services at risk

  • Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar grills the first minister over the early release of prisoners.

  • A public health levy, the future of Grangemouth, road accidents and fatalities, and abuse at Fornethy House are also raised by backbenchers

  1. FM reminds Findlay he backed Liz Truss's governmentpublished at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time

    Findlay quotes extensively from the Auditor General's report.

    The Scottish Tory leader goes on to say: "Under the SNP there is no leadership, no transparency, no answers, just broken promises, pathetic excuses and making it up as they go along.

    "This is what a John Swinney government really looks like."

    The first minister points out that Russell Findlay argued the Scottish government should follow the example of Liz Truss.

    Swinney adds if he had done so there would be acute problems in balancing the budget this year.

    "Thank goodness I never inflicted that on Scotland," he says.

  2. 'This chaotic goverment doesn't have a clue'published at 12:11 Greenwich Mean Time

    John Swinney

    "This chaotic government doesn't have a clue," continues Findlay.

    The Scottish Tory leader asks how much the first minister's proposed reforms will save taxpayers.

    John Swinney reiterates the SNP has balanced the budgets every year since it took power.

    "The government will set out a budget to parliament on the 4th of December which will be the culmination of the choices we have made about how we invest in our public services and what we ask people to pay to support those public services," says the first minister.

    He insists that "is the honest conversation this government has with the people of Scotland".

  3. Background: Concerns about public services from Audit Scotlandpublished at 12:07 Greenwich Mean Time

    So this morning Audit Scotland said fundamental change was needed on how public money is spent to ensure services meet demand and remain affordable.

    The warning from Scotland's spending watchdog comes as Finance Secretary Shona Robison prepares to deliver her budget in just under two weeks.

    Earlier this month Holyrood's finance committee said it was "deeply concerned" about the government's lack of a strategic approach to its finances.

  4. FM defends SNP's record on public spendingpublished at 12:07 Greenwich Mean Time

    The first minister replies that his government has balanced the budget for 17 years.

    John Swinney says the fiscal constraint of the austerity of the Tories has put "unbearable burdens on our finances".

  5. Background: Warning over short-term fixes to Scotland's budgetpublished at 12:05 Greenwich Mean Time

    Scottish bank notes and coins and a Saltire purseImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Audit Scotland said the Scottish government's financial plans were not sustainable in the long term

    Short-term fixes to balance Scotland’s budget will not tackle continuing pressure on public services, a spending watchdog has warned.

    Audit Scotland criticised a lack of transparency from the Scottish government and said “fundamental change” was needed to keep services affordable.

    It comes after Holyrood's finance committee said it was "deeply concerned" about the government's lack of a strategic approach to its finances.

    Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said “significant work” on reforming public spending had been done since the period covered in the report.

    Read more here.

  6. 'Why is John Swinney's government so addicted to secrecy?'published at 12:05 Greenwich Mean Time

    Russell Findlay

    Russell Findlay gets to his feet, brandishing the Auditor General's report on SNP government spending on public services, saying it is "absolutely scathing".

    The Scottish Tory leader says he lays bare this government's "lack of transparency" which is putting vital frontline services at risk.

    "Why is John Swinney's government so addicted to secrecy and so disrespectful towards the paying public?," he asks.

  7. MSPs gather for FMQspublished at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time

    Wide shot of the chamber at Holyrood

    The chamber at Holyrood is starting to fill up as MSPs take their seats for First Minister's Questions.

    You can watch the session live here with us by clicking on the Watch Live icon at the top of the page.

  8. Analysis

    What can we expect at FMQs today?published at 11:40 Greenwich Mean Time

    Philip Sim
    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    A bit of a theme is developing in Scottish politics this week which looks likely to tie together nicely at FMQs; big projects.

    Audit Scotland has published a critical report this morning about the government’s financial planning, and how it will fund day-to-day services and infrastructure going forward.

    That comes on the same day as a statement about the future of the National Care Service – which continues to look fairly doomed.

    MSPs are also set to debate new measures to release prisoners early to address overcrowding in jails - a problem exacerbated by the size of the prison estate.

    There has, for once, been some good news about ferries at Ferguson Marine, with the Glen Sannox finally being handed over. But while pondering government expenditure, opposition leaders may dwell on the part where the ship has arrived precisely seven years after it was “launched” by ministers.

    So the stage seems set for an afternoon of argument about how wisely the government spends money and balances its books – all very topical stuff with less than two weeks to go until the budget.

  9. John Prescott: The political heavyweight who stewarded New Labourpublished at 11:24 Greenwich Mean Time

    Media caption,

    Former deputy PM Lord Prescott dies aged 86

    We can expect tributes to John Prescott from party leaders at today's FMQs.

    The Labour politician, who was deputy leader of the Labour Party between 1997 and 2007, leaves a wife and two sons.

    As well as being PM Tony Blair's deputy in government. John Prescott MP also held briefs in housing, local and regional government and environment.

    He was possibly best remembered for getting into a scuffle with a protester who threw an egg at him during the 2001 general election campaign.

  10. Welcomepublished at 10:53 Greenwich Mean Time

    Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, First Minister John Swinney and Finance Secretary Shona Robison walking up the corridor to the chamberImage source, PA

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

    We'll bring you reports and analysis throughout as the weekly political jousting takes place.

    This week John Swinney will be quizzed by Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater.

    You can watch FMQs here with us just click on the Watch Live icon at the top of the page.