Image source, PA Media

Later on this afternoon, Health Secretary Neil Gray will make a statement at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday to address his use of a ministerial car to travel to football games.

The Aberdeen fan was driven by a chauffeur to watch his team play at Hampden three times in six months.

All the visits were classed as official ministerial engagements where the use of chauffeur-driven cars would have been approved by civil servants.

However, he has been criticised by opposition parties who have claimed the trips were "excessive" and "hypocritical" after the SNP criticised Labour politicians for attending similar events.

You can watch the statement by tapping on the Watch Live from 14:25 and we'll bring you reports and analysis throughout.

The first minister begins by saying it has always been the case that ministers will attend events around the country, including sports events.

John Swinney insists: "Ministers will continue to engage on issues of importance."

Findlay raises the previous iPad scandal involving Michael Matheson and compares it to the questions about Neil Gray's use of ministerial cars, saying the SNP have learnt nothing in the last year.

"The SNP have substituted one shamed health and social care secretary for someone even less serious," he adds.

The Scottish Tory leader says Neil Gray charged tax payers for ministerial limos to watch his football team.

"So what is it with SNP ministers taking tax payers for a ride?"

John Swinney is sitting poised in his seat and Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay gets to his feet to begin FMQs.

No surprise in National Care Service delaypublished at 11:56 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November

11:56 GMT 14 November

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Today might feel more like questions to Neil Gray than the first minister.

The health and social care secretary is going to make a statement to MSPs later about his use of a ministerial car to attend football matches.

But more significantly, the National Care Service – the government’s flagship project this term, and a core part of his portfolio – has been kicked deeper into the long grass.

Officially, the next stage of the Holyrood process has been delayed into the new year.

And Mr Gray has had to deny reports that the plans are being junked altogether.

Ultimately, few would be surprised if they are. It may just be a matter of time, given the government does not have the support of opposition parties to get a bill through Holyrood, or the backing of councils and health boards to actually deliver on it.

The plans have already been watered down enormously, but John Swinney will face questions today about whether they have any future at all.

Image source, Getty Images

It has emerged this morning that the Scottish government is again delaying its flagship plans for a National Care Service - but denies reports that the policy has been dropped.

On a busy day for Health Secretary Neil Gray, he has said he was "absolutely committed" to the scheme, which aims to transfer responsibility for social care away from councils to a new national body.

Opposition parties are opposed to the plans, which have already been delayed by three years due to financial pressures and uncertainty over costs. It will come as no surprise if they raise the issue of the delay at FMQs.

The Scottish government said that it needed time to consider views and a new timetable would be worked out in the new year.

MSPs were due to consider potential amendments to the bill later this month.

The health secretary said that the government was "considering all options".

Read more here.

Image source, PA

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of this week's First Minister's Questions, which will be followed by Health Secretary Neil Gray's statement on his use of a ministerial car to travel to football games.

You can watch the weekly Holyrood political joust of FMQs here with us, just click on the Watch Live icon at the top of the page.

Then from 14:25 you can watch the health secretary's statement live.

We'll bring you reports and analysis from our correspondents throughout the afternoon, so stick with us.