Summary

  • Details of the programme for government - which were outlined yesterday - were debated in the Holyrood chamber

  • Nicola Sturgeon says there have been 156 new positive coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours - 86 of those in the greater Glasgow area

  • Restrictions on visiting other households have been reintroduced in Glasgow city, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire

  • The virus figures update came ahead of opposition party leaders and backbenchers quizzing the FM at her weekly Q&A

  1. 'Scotland is up to the challenge'published at 15:30 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    The economy secretary says the government plans have economic renewal and the creation of "new, good, green jobs" at its core.

    Quote Message

    We will need collective determination to succeed but I am confident that Scotland is up to the challenge."

    Fiona Hyslop, Economy Secretary

  2. Government publishes youth guarantee detailspublished at 15:14 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    Fiona Hyslop

    Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop opens the debate on the programme for government.

    Delivering on the mission to create new, green jobs will require collective work, she insists.

    She highlights the initial report on the youth guarantee, external of a job, education or training has been published.

    Of the £60m announced for the initiative, the cabinet secretary confirms:

    • £30m will go to local authorities to direct the response through local partnerships
    • £10m will be for colleges to expand opportunities available
    • £10m will be spent on "pre-apprenticeship" opportunities
    • £10m will help to further support the "developing the young workforce" infrastructure
  3. Fourth Labour MSP calls for Leonard to step downpublished at 15:11 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

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  4. What has the reaction been to the programme for government?published at 14:59 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    Small business ownerImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The Scottish Tories calls for more help for small businesses

    The Scottish Conservatives said the programme for government fails to meet the challenges facing people in the "real world", and said Ms Sturgeon should be doing more to protect small businesses from "the damage of local lockdown and business rates revaluations".

    Party leader Douglas Ross said: "The fundamental difference between our outlook is this: I know Scotland can succeed today, the first minister thinks we can't until the SNP get their way with separation."

    Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard welcomed Ms Sturgeon's commitment to "take the first step on the road to a National Care Service", but warned that "time is running out" to support care homes.

    He also welcomed employment support plans, but said promises about new green jobs had been made before without resulting in any progress, saying: "How do we know that this time we won't simply go back to how things were?"

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone welcomed Ms Sturgeon's pledge to build a "fairer and greener Scotland", but said work must begin immediately, adding: "Work to build a fairer and greener Scotland is welcome, but the work to do that must begin now."

    And Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the government had failed to deliver on past promises, calling for a faster rollout of free childcare hours and a "recovery plan" for child mental health services.

  5. Nicola Sturgeon unveils 'youth guarantee' initiativepublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    Young people will be guaranteed a job, education or formal training under a new Scottish government scheme.

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the "youth guarantee" was aimed at ensuring young people do not carry the "economic scars" of coronavirus into adulthood.

    The £60m initiative will be backed by additional money for apprenticeships.

    It was announced as Ms Sturgeon set out her government's plans, external for the next year.

    Read more.

  6. MSPs to debate the government's planspublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    MSPs in the chamberImage source, Getty Images

    MSPs will spend the rest of the afternoon debating the programme for government.

    Nicola Sturgeon set out her government's plans, external for the next year yesterday.

    Central to the programme was a "youth guarantee" for a job, education or formal training aimed at ensuring young people do not carry the "economic scars" of coronavirus into adulthood.

  7. Statement on child rights billpublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    Babies playing togetherImage source, Getty Images

    The deputy first minister is about to make a statement on the new United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, external.

    The legislation is set to incorporate the UN Convention into Scots law.

    Announcing the move yesterday, Ms Sturgeon described it as "one of the most ambitious pieces of legislation in the 20 year history of devolution."

  8. Coronavirus in Scotland: The headlinespublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    Here are the main headlines from the Holyrood chamber:

    • A further 156 people have tested positive for Covid-19, with 86 in the Glasgow area, taking the total across Scotland to 20,788
    • One person who tested positive for Covid-19 has died in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 2,495 deaths
    • In relation to the Glasgow area guidance, the first minister says 'doing nothing was not an option'
    • Deputy First Minister John Swinney earlier defended keeping pubs open in Greater Glasgow despite new limits on social contact
    Scottish government Glasgow area restrictions
    • The new rules affect more than 800,000 people in Glasgow city, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire
    • The weekly NRS statistics showed six deaths linked to Covid-19 in the past week taking the total to 4,228
    • There were over 500 new cases in the week ending 30 August
  9. WATCH: FMQs highlightspublished at 13:47 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

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  10. Isles patients being 'prevented' from coming to mainland for treatment due to quarantine rulespublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    hospitalImage source, Getty Images

    Lib Dem Liam McArthur says shielding requirements for those due to undergo medical operations precludes the use of public transport.

    The Orkney MSP says this "effectively prevents" patients from the Northern Isles coming to the mainland for treatment. He calls for new guidance to be implemented as a matter of urgency so all patients have the same access to healthcare.

    Ms Sturgeon confirms the guidance is being finalised to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place, which will be published "fairly soon," she says.

  11. Discussions under way with SQA on prospects for next year's exams, confirms FMpublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    classroomImage source, Getty Images

    Tory MSP Liz Smith asks about discussions between the Scottish government and the Scottish Qualifications Authority on the timing of the 2021 exam diet in Scotland.

    The first minister confirms such discussions are under way.

    While she hopes to see normality return for exams next year, she highlights the situation remains "highly uncertain" and any decision will take into account the conclusions of the review into this year's issues.

  12. FM insists 'we are on top of this' as Glasgow measures kick inpublished at 13:24 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    willie Rennie

    The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader says he is "deeply worried we are not on top of the virus."

    Willie Rennie points out: "If we are having to restrict the activities of almost a million people I have a duty to ask what the government is doing."

    He asks if the outbreak in the West of Scotland is because quarantine spot checks have not worked, with holiday-makers coming home to Scotland with the virus.

    The first minister warns there is a duty on all of us to make sure we all understand how things are working so the proper advice is given.

    She points out the restrictions in the Glasgow area have been in place in England in places such as Manchester and indeed across Europe.

    "It's because we are on top of this that we are acting preventatively and in an early intervention way to try to stop these outbreaks really running out of control."

    Ms Sturgeon insists the quarantine systems are working, for example with Greece.

  13. Lib Dems: Is Test and Protect 'really up to the job'?published at 13:21 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    testImage source, Getty Images

    Willie Rennie says he is worried Test and Protect has not driven the virus out before it could spread in Aberdeen or Glasgow.

    The Scottish Lib Dem leader asks: "Is it really up to the job?"

    "Yes it is, and I would encourage Willie Rennie to perhaps learn a little bit more about how Test and Protect operates," replies the first minister.

    "I actually think Scotland has one of the best systems anywhere."

    The first minister points out without Test and Protect the Aberdeen and Coupar Angus outbreaks would not have been contained.

  14. Greens challenge FM over funding of at-risk Glasgow servicespublished at 13:17 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    site

    Mr Harvie says “unity and collective spirit” will be needed to get through the pandemic, but suggests this cannot be achieved while vital support services are being lost. He lists various services (including citizens advice bureau) in Glasgow which face “long-term uncertainty”.

    These are essential services which already struggle to meet demand, he argues, and urges the Scottish government to ensure they are saved.

    Ms Sturgeon agrees with the Green MSP’s assessment of these services and she welcomes the £400m transition fund announced by Glasgow City Council today for them.

    It provides an opportunity for the council, government and organisations to work together to ensure they have security long-term, she adds.

  15. How will restrictions be communicated to new Glasgow students?published at 13:13 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie says while he regrets the need for extra restrictions in the west of Scotland, he accepts it is necessary to stop local outbreaks.

    But he expresses concern about how to communicate this message to communities, especially places such as Glasgow where new students will be arriving - possibly from abroad.

    Mr Harvie also asks about the role of testing at the start of term to ensure there is no increased risk for communities and university staff.

    Ms Sturgeon points to the updated guidance for higher and further education. She says there is an obligation for international students to quarantine upon arrival and for educational institutions to share public health advice.

  16. MSPs call for Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard to quitpublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    Richard Leonard's leadership has been criticised by some sections of the party since he took over from Kezia Dugdale three years agoImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Richard Leonard's leadership has been criticised by some sections of the party since he took over from Kezia Dugdale three years ago

    Three Scottish Labour MSPs have called on the party's leader, Richard Leonard, to quit ahead of next year's Scottish Parliament election.

    James Kelly has resigned as the party's justice spokesman, saying he had no confidence in Mr Leonard's leadership.

    His colleagues Jenny Marra and Daniel Johnson have also voiced their opposition to the current leadership.

    Mr Leonard is determined to stay in his post, and accused the MSPs of waging an "internal war" against him.

    Read more here.

  17. FM: 'I'm not sure Richard Leonard will be in place by then'published at 13:09 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    FM

    The Scottish Labour leader cautions against any review into care homes resulting in the issue of Covid discharges getting kicked into the long grass.

    He calls for trade union representatives and representatives of care users to be on the review panel announced yesterday.

    Ms Sturgeon says her government will listen to suggestions about the composition of the review, due to report in January.

    However, she jokes "I'm not sure whether Richard Leonard will still be standing in his place by then, we will wait and see."

  18. Data on patients tested for Covid prior to discharge into care homes to be publishedpublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    womanImage source, Getty Images

    The first minister warns everyone we are not through the pandemic and we are about to go into winter.

    Mr Leonard points out that is precisely why he is calling for transparency on the lessons that need to learned from Scotland's awful toll of deaths in care homes.

    The Scottish Labour leader reiterates that his party has long called for a National Care Service and he points out a review is very different from much needed reform.

    He points out concerns about privately-run care homes and he calls for the profit motive to be removed from care.

    The first minister agrees with that and also agrees with the need for transparency.

    That's why data will be produced by the end of the month by Public Health Scotland, on patients tested prior to discharge into care she adds.

  19. Labour leader calls for urgent review of care home policy in early days of pandemicpublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 2 September 2020

    Richard Leonard

    Richard Leonard says in the early days of the pandemic patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 were sent to care homes.

    The Scottish Labour leader says he has spoken to Alan Wightman who is part of the Bereaved Families for Justice group, whose mother died from Covid-19 in a care home in Fife.

    Mr Leonard says Mr Wightman is angry and wants a full public inquiry and a review fast.

    The first minister expresses condolences to all who have lost a loved one and specifically to Mr Wightman for his loss.

    Ms Sturgeon says she has to steer the country as safely as possible through this pandemic and she has a duty to make sure the undivided focus is on that.

    "We learn lessons as we go along in that," adds the first minister, who highlights a range of changes in position that have been brought in for care homes.

    There has been a vast reduction in the number of old people losing their lives she points out and care homes will be central to a future full public inquiry.