Summary

  • First Minister John Swinney faces questions from opposition leaders and backbench MSPs at Holyrood

  • Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay calls on Swinney to drop the government's presumption against new oil and gas exploration

  • It comes after the Grangemouth refinery ceased processing crude oil after 100 years in operation

  • The first minister pledges his solidarity with the Grangemouth workers and says any decision on oil and gas must tackle climate challenges

  • Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accuses the government of "fiddling the figures" when it comes to "scandalous" delays in child mental health treatment

  • Swinney says the government has increased funding to improve mental health support and is working hard to tackle delays

  • Scottish Greens co-leader accuses the SNP of breaking promises on tackling climate change and dropping its target on reducing car use - with the FM responding by pointing to investment in energy-efficient building and heating

Live Reporting

Edited by Craig Williams

  1. Greens are 'dangerous fanatics' says Findlay

    Findlay says the SNP now want to "just stop oil".

    The Scottish Conservative leader says Swinney personally brought the Greens into government.

    "These dangerous fanatics want to shut down all oil and gas production," he adds.

    After admonishment from the presiding officer he changes his langauge to "dangerous cranks".

    He is again reminded of the need to adhere to standing orders.

    Finally he opts for "these dangerous idealogues" and FMQs continues, asking how can John Swinney be surprised when businesses fail.

  2. Background: Grangemouth refinery stops processing crude oil

    Grangemouth oil refineryGetty Images

    The refinery site is being closed with the loss of 430 jobs

    Scotland's only oil refinery has stopped processing crude oil at Grangemouth after a century of operations, its owner Petroineos has confirmed.

    In September, the company announced refining activities would cease in 2025 as it transitions to becoming an import terminal for finished fuels.

    The site on the south bank of the Firth of Forth is home to the UK's oldest oil refinery, dating back to 1924.

    It is being closed down by Petroineos, with the loss of 430 of the 2,000 jobs based at the sprawling 1,700-acre industrial complex.

    The Unite union said political leaders had "utterly failed" the workers and the Grangemouth community, and would face "electoral wrath".

    The SNP has called for the refinery to be nationalised, a demand rejected by the UK government.

    Read more here.

  3. FM pledges solidarity with Grangemouth workforce

    John Swinney expresses his support and solidarity with the Grangemouth workforce.

    The first minister says he disagrees with the decision by Petroineos to end the operations.

    He calls for an early decision on the Acorn carbon capture storage project.

  4. Will John Swinney drop his presumption against new oil and gas exploration?

    Russell FindlayScottish Parliament

    Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay

    Findlay begins by highlighting the end of Scotland's only oil refinery and the loss of hundreds of jobs.

    "This is the price of the SNP and Labour's hostility towards oil and gas," the Scottish Conservative leader says.

    He asks will John Swinney drop his presumption against new oil and gas exploration.

  5. FMQs gets under way

    John Swinney sits poised in his frontbench seat as Russell Findlay gets to his feet to begin this week's FMQs.

  6. Analysis

    All eyes on the electoral road ahead

    Philip Sim
    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    MSPs will be facing re-election to Holyrood 53 weeks today.

    It means some may be more interested in poring over the new electoral map released by the Electoral Commission in the past hour, to see exactly which pavements they will need to be pounding if they are to retain their constituency or regional seats.

    But it also brings the political battle between parties into ever sharper focus.

    The Conservatives have a few options for questions, when it comes to building an electoral base.

    There has been much talk this week about net zero policies, and the Tories have been highlighting the fact that almost a year has passed since the government’s energy strategy was delayed.

    They also led debates yesterday on motoring and fishing, and there have been fresh developments in Russell Findlay’s favourite story, the row over the Supreme Court’s gender ruling.

    Labour, as ever, are all but certain to focus on health. Anas Sarwar sees that as his best route to making the election a referendum on the SNP’s record in government.

    John Swinney, meanwhile, is always keen to bring up Labour’s record in government at Westminster – and has a helpful backbench question already lined up asking about the UK’s prospects for economic growth.

  7. Welcome

    First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes head to the main chamber in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh.PA Media

    First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes head to the main chamber

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

    We'll bring you reports and analysis throughout today's session at Holyrood.

    You can watch here with us from just before 12:00 by clicking on the Watch Live icon at the top of the page.