Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has set out changes to the Green Party’s
allocation of questions at First Minister’s Question Time.
The
move follows the Green Party’s co-operation agreement with the SNP and the
imminent appointment of two new Ministers from within the party’s ranks.
The
ruling means the Green Party will no longer be entitled to a leader’s question at FMQs. The presiding officer also says she will no longer automatically call the party to speak at the start and close
of debates.
The
party’s short money
– public funds paid to political parties to assist MSPs perform their
parliamentary duties – will also be reduced by £15,687.61 on account of two members becoming ministers.
In
a message to all MSPs this afternoon, the presiding officer said she hoped all members would agree the changes
“recognise” the nature of
the co-operation agreement and would be fair for all parties across the chamber.
'Coalition of cuts' - Sarwar
Anas Sarwar warns that the Green ministers will roll over and do what they're told.
The Scottish Labour leader says this is merely the final confirmation of the "coalition of cuts" between the SNP and Greens.
He says the elevation of Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater to junior ministerial roles comes with a price tag.
Mr Sarwar says the government is "out of touch".
Ross defends economic growth
Mr Ross says his party pursues economic growth "unashamedly".
Economic growth provides extra funding for public services, he argues.
The Scottish Conservative leader warns the Greens hold the most extreme economic views and want tax rises.
'Coalition of chaos' - Douglas Ross
Douglas Ross says the Greens have given up any pretence of being an opposition party.
The Scottish Conservative leader says the Greens are pretending this "coalition of chaos" is something else.
He says his party will vote against the Greens becoming ministers as the party will prevent any economic recovery.
FM calls on MSPs to back appointment of Slater and Harvie
The first minister says it gives her "great pleasure" to support the motion in her name appointing Green MSPs Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater as junior ministers.
Ms Sturgeon says this will be the first time Green politicians have entered government in the UK.
Scottish Green co-leaders given ministerial roles
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
The co-leaders of the Scottish Greens have been given junior ministerial roles in Nicola Sturgeon's government under the SNP-Green power-sharing deal.
Patrick Harvie will focus on zero carbon buildings and active travel, while Lorna Slater will be minister for green skills and the circular economy.
The first minister said it was right to "put politics aside to tackle the challenges in front of us decisively".
The appointments will be formally approved by a vote of MSPs on Tuesday.
The Conservatives have said they will vote against the move, calling it a "nationalist gamble", but the SNP and Greens have a comfortable majority between them in the Holyrood chamber.
The Scottish Government will now lead a debate on the appointment of Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater as junior ministers.
Lorna Slater will have 'key role' in creating green jobs
Mark Ruskell of the Scottish Greens asks if the first minister agrees that the programme set out will help Scotland "grasp the opportunities" of a transition away from oil and create jobs.
Ms Sturgeon says this is one of the "biggest challenges" the government faces.
She says, in the past, the Scottish government has not been as successful at "seizing and realising" economic opportunities while tackling the climate emergency.
She also says that Lorna Slater, the Scottish Green co-leader, will have a "key role" to play in this.
'This is thin gruel' says Lib Dem Alex Cole-Hamilton
bCopyright: b
Scottish Lib Dems leader Alex Cole-Hamilton begins by saying: "This is thin gruel for the Green Party."
Mr Cole-Hamilton insists the SNP have not had to budge on education, for example, adding, "the Greens haven't moved the dial at all".
The first minister congratulates Mr Cole-Hamilton on his election as leader of the Scottish Lib Dems.
Ms Sturgeon says the Greens have, through co-operation, achieved much more than the Lib Dems at Holyrood.
She says: "The Greens, I am sure, will achieve a great deal."
Sturgeon gives Sarwar open invitation to work with SNP
Ms Sturgeon responds to Mr Sarwar by saying that during the election campaign she commended him for striking an agreeable tone - however she now questioned the substance of it.
The first minister says the challenges Mr Sarwar spoke of are what the SNP and Greens are setting out to address and that they are both prepared to "cede some control".
She also says she had invited the Scottish Labour leader to discuss how their two parties could co-operate - the difference is "the Greens took that seriously".
"It's not too late to be part of that consensus," she says, again inviting Mr Sarwar to discuss working with her. She says this will "perhaps define" Mr Sarwar's leadership of his party.
Anas Sarwar says agreement is 'not a clean start'
BBCCopyright: BBC
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says the "coalition" will result in the SNP "hammering" public services as the Greens "simply nod it through".
He says the agreement is "not a clean start" and is "more about the constitution", not the environment.
He asks if the FM understands that bringing the country together means more than working with people who agree with her on the issue of independence.
He also asks which ministers will be losing their jobs as two more are appointed.
Sturgeon calls on all parties to work together
Nicola Sturgeon hits back saying Douglas Ross was "barely coherent" in his questions.
The first minister says it is incumbent on MSPs to work together.
She calls on all the parties to do just that.
Ms Sturgeon insists Mr Ross' rhetoric is deeply inappropriate and "deeply ironic", given shortages due to Brexit.
She calls on him to take some responsibility for this, insisting there will not be jobs lost as there will be a "just transition" for the North East.
The first minister suggests perhaps the UK government will match the SNP's pledge to do this.
On independence Ms Sturgeon says her vision is of a "prosperous, fair green country" and she believes in the right of the Scottish people to decide their own future.
Oil and gas jobs threatened says Ross
Mr Ross says the deal is a consequence of the SNP failing to get an overall parliamentary majority at the election in May.
He says Lorna Slater, the co-leader of the Greens, had previously said a deal between the parties would be a "terrible idea".
The Scottish Conservative leader asks how many oil and gas jobs will be put at risk by the deal with Greens.
'Agreement is about separation' says Douglas Ross
BBCCopyright: BBC
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says the SNP-Green deal is actually a coalition and adds that it has one overriding goal - the separation of Scotland from the UK.
Mr Ross warns against a second divisive referendum on independence.
He says Nicola Sturgeon made this nationalist deal a priority over the programme for government, which would normally have been announced at the start of a new parliamentary term.
FM confirms intention to deliver independence referendum
The FM says the agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens confirms the two parties' intentions to deliver another independence referendum.
Ms Sturgeon says the mandate
for this is "undeniable" as the SNP and the Greens hold 72 of the 129
seats in the Scottish Parliament.
She adds the reason for a
referendum is "even more important" as decisions that shape Scotland after the pandemic "must be determined here in Scotland".
'Strong environmental theme' to shared agreement
The FM says there is a "strong
environmental theme" to the shared policy agreement, and promises the following:
dedicate
at least 10% of the Scottish government’s overall travel budget to active
travel
significantly
increase investment in public transport
a commitment
to free bus travel for young people
to bring
ScotRail into public ownership
£1.8 billion
in energy efficiency and renewable heating
Live Reporting
BBC Scotland News
All times stated are UK
- The deal is done - so what lies ahead?
- What could the SNP-Greens deal mean for Scotland?
- SNP-Greens deal pledges indyref2 within five years
BBCCopyright: BBC 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Presiding Officer Alison JohnstoneImage caption: Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media - Read more here
- Who are the new Scottish Green ministers?
- The deal is done - so what lies ahead?
- Scottish Greens back historic government deal
bCopyright: b 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC -
dedicate
at least 10% of the Scottish government’s overall travel budget to active
travel
-
significantly
increase investment in public transport
-
a commitment
to free bus travel for young people
-
to bring
ScotRail into public ownership
-
£1.8 billion
in energy efficiency and renewable heating
Latest PostBreakingMSPs back appointment of Harvie and Slater as ministers
MSPs back the motion calling for Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater to be appointed as junior ministers.
56 MSPs voted against but 69 voted in favour of the appointments.
That's all from us here on the live page today.
The vote is under way
MSPs are to vote on the motion appointing Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater as junior ministers.
This leads to a suspension of the parliament for a few minutes.
Scottish Lib Dems leader expresses 'some dismay'
Alex Cole-Hamilton expresses "some dismay" at the "infantile attack" by Ms Sturgeon on the Lib Dems.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader warns the central mission of this deal is a second independence referendum.
He says there will be more grievance and this is not a deal with the climate in mind.
'This is a genuinely historic moment' - Greens
Green MSP Ross Greer tells the chamber this afternoon the Greens will take their first place in government in the UK.
Mr Greer insists: "This is a genuinely historic moment."
He praises both Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater and says he is very excited to see what they achieve.
Presiding officer sets out changes following deal
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has set out changes to the Green Party’s allocation of questions at First Minister’s Question Time.
The move follows the Green Party’s co-operation agreement with the SNP and the imminent appointment of two new Ministers from within the party’s ranks.
The ruling means the Green Party will no longer be entitled to a leader’s question at FMQs. The presiding officer also says she will no longer automatically call the party to speak at the start and close of debates.
The party’s short money – public funds paid to political parties to assist MSPs perform their parliamentary duties – will also be reduced by £15,687.61 on account of two members becoming ministers.
In a message to all MSPs this afternoon, the presiding officer said she hoped all members would agree the changes “recognise” the nature of the co-operation agreement and would be fair for all parties across the chamber.
'Coalition of cuts' - Sarwar
Anas Sarwar warns that the Green ministers will roll over and do what they're told.
The Scottish Labour leader says this is merely the final confirmation of the "coalition of cuts" between the SNP and Greens.
He says the elevation of Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater to junior ministerial roles comes with a price tag.
Mr Sarwar says the government is "out of touch".
Ross defends economic growth
Mr Ross says his party pursues economic growth "unashamedly".
Economic growth provides extra funding for public services, he argues.
The Scottish Conservative leader warns the Greens hold the most extreme economic views and want tax rises.
'Coalition of chaos' - Douglas Ross
Douglas Ross says the Greens have given up any pretence of being an opposition party.
The Scottish Conservative leader says the Greens are pretending this "coalition of chaos" is something else.
He says his party will vote against the Greens becoming ministers as the party will prevent any economic recovery.
FM calls on MSPs to back appointment of Slater and Harvie
The first minister says it gives her "great pleasure" to support the motion in her name appointing Green MSPs Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater as junior ministers.
Ms Sturgeon says this will be the first time Green politicians have entered government in the UK.
Scottish Green co-leaders given ministerial roles
The co-leaders of the Scottish Greens have been given junior ministerial roles in Nicola Sturgeon's government under the SNP-Green power-sharing deal.
Patrick Harvie will focus on zero carbon buildings and active travel, while Lorna Slater will be minister for green skills and the circular economy.
The first minister said it was right to "put politics aside to tackle the challenges in front of us decisively".
The appointments will be formally approved by a vote of MSPs on Tuesday.
The Conservatives have said they will vote against the move, calling it a "nationalist gamble", but the SNP and Greens have a comfortable majority between them in the Holyrood chamber.
Coming up in the chamber...
The Scottish Government will now lead a debate on the appointment of Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater as junior ministers.
Lorna Slater will have 'key role' in creating green jobs
Mark Ruskell of the Scottish Greens asks if the first minister agrees that the programme set out will help Scotland "grasp the opportunities" of a transition away from oil and create jobs.
Ms Sturgeon says this is one of the "biggest challenges" the government faces.
She says, in the past, the Scottish government has not been as successful at "seizing and realising" economic opportunities while tackling the climate emergency.
She also says that Lorna Slater, the Scottish Green co-leader, will have a "key role" to play in this.
'This is thin gruel' says Lib Dem Alex Cole-Hamilton
Scottish Lib Dems leader Alex Cole-Hamilton begins by saying: "This is thin gruel for the Green Party."
Mr Cole-Hamilton insists the SNP have not had to budge on education, for example, adding, "the Greens haven't moved the dial at all".
The first minister congratulates Mr Cole-Hamilton on his election as leader of the Scottish Lib Dems.
Ms Sturgeon says the Greens have, through co-operation, achieved much more than the Lib Dems at Holyrood.
She says: "The Greens, I am sure, will achieve a great deal."
Sturgeon gives Sarwar open invitation to work with SNP
Ms Sturgeon responds to Mr Sarwar by saying that during the election campaign she commended him for striking an agreeable tone - however she now questioned the substance of it.
The first minister says the challenges Mr Sarwar spoke of are what the SNP and Greens are setting out to address and that they are both prepared to "cede some control".
She also says she had invited the Scottish Labour leader to discuss how their two parties could co-operate - the difference is "the Greens took that seriously".
"It's not too late to be part of that consensus," she says, again inviting Mr Sarwar to discuss working with her. She says this will "perhaps define" Mr Sarwar's leadership of his party.
Anas Sarwar says agreement is 'not a clean start'
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says the "coalition" will result in the SNP "hammering" public services as the Greens "simply nod it through".
He says the agreement is "not a clean start" and is "more about the constitution", not the environment.
He asks if the FM understands that bringing the country together means more than working with people who agree with her on the issue of independence.
He also asks which ministers will be losing their jobs as two more are appointed.
Sturgeon calls on all parties to work together
Nicola Sturgeon hits back saying Douglas Ross was "barely coherent" in his questions.
The first minister says it is incumbent on MSPs to work together.
She calls on all the parties to do just that.
Ms Sturgeon insists Mr Ross' rhetoric is deeply inappropriate and "deeply ironic", given shortages due to Brexit.
She calls on him to take some responsibility for this, insisting there will not be jobs lost as there will be a "just transition" for the North East.
The first minister suggests perhaps the UK government will match the SNP's pledge to do this.
On independence Ms Sturgeon says her vision is of a "prosperous, fair green country" and she believes in the right of the Scottish people to decide their own future.
Oil and gas jobs threatened says Ross
Mr Ross says the deal is a consequence of the SNP failing to get an overall parliamentary majority at the election in May.
He says Lorna Slater, the co-leader of the Greens, had previously said a deal between the parties would be a "terrible idea".
The Scottish Conservative leader asks how many oil and gas jobs will be put at risk by the deal with Greens.
'Agreement is about separation' says Douglas Ross
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says the SNP-Green deal is actually a coalition and adds that it has one overriding goal - the separation of Scotland from the UK.
Mr Ross warns against a second divisive referendum on independence.
He says Nicola Sturgeon made this nationalist deal a priority over the programme for government, which would normally have been announced at the start of a new parliamentary term.
FM confirms intention to deliver independence referendum
The FM says the agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens confirms the two parties' intentions to deliver another independence referendum.
Ms Sturgeon says the mandate for this is "undeniable" as the SNP and the Greens hold 72 of the 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament.
She adds the reason for a referendum is "even more important" as decisions that shape Scotland after the pandemic "must be determined here in Scotland".
'Strong environmental theme' to shared agreement
The FM says there is a "strong environmental theme" to the shared policy agreement, and promises the following: