The first minister outlines plans for the year ahead, with the "immediate priority" being to "lead Scotland out of the pandemic"
Nicola Sturgeon says her plans will include investment and reform of the country's public services, including the setting up of a National Care Service
She adds that it will "arguably" be the most significant public service reform since the creation of the NHS more than 70 years ago
The first minister "reaffirms" her government's commitment to a second independence referendum
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says that "front and centre" of the Scottish government's plan is another referendum - he says that is a priority which is "all wrong"
"Short on big ideas" was the verdict of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar - he said the government's 2021-22 plans were "not good enough, not bold enough and will not do enough"
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton says the country needs "new hope" but the government's plan is "just re-heated and re-badged"
The FM reiterates a promise of £3.5bn towards 110,000 affordable homes, 70% of which will be for social rent.
She also promises to publish a new strategy for the rented sector by the end of the year, including a commitment to a system of rent controls.
And £50m will be spent to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
Image source, PA MediaThe FM promises a £1bn investment in education over the course of the Parliament.
She says on top of local authority funding, there will be additional funding for councils to recruit 3,500 additional teachers and 500 classroom assistants.
Free school meals will be provided to all primary school pupils all year round, she says, and all children will receive an electronic device and a connection to get online - just as jotters and pencils were provided in previous years.
Ms Sturgeon also promises to develop a system of "wraparound childcare", which would offer care for families on low incomes before and after school and during holidays.
A delivery plan will be published over the coming year, she says.
Image source, PA MediaThe Miners’ Pardon Bill will provide a collective pardon for those convicted of certain offences during the 1984/85 miners’ strike.
The first minister also announced that the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill will tighten the law on the sale and use of fireworks.
And the Fox Control Bill will strengthen the law on the use of dogs to flush foxes and other wild mammals.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe government will introduce the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.
"It will make the existing process of gender recognition less degrading, intrusive and traumatic.
"In other words, it will make life easier for one of the most stigmatized minorities in our society. I think that is something any Parliament should feel a responsibility to do.
"What it will not do is remove any of the legal protections that women currently have."
The government will invest £100 million to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women, and support the frontline organisations who help them.
A Bail and Release from Custody Bill intends to improve how decisions on bail are reached and better support release from custody.
"This year, we will launch a public consultation on whether the “not proven” verdict should be abolished."
"And we will consult on the potential separation of the dual roles of Scotland’s law officers."
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Image source, Getty Images"Finally, on health and care, I can confirm that we will introduce a National Care Service Bill," says Ms Sturgeon.
She says this will provide for the establishment of the new service and implement what is arguably the most significant public service reform since the creation of the National Health Service.
The first minister confirms that we will increase funding for social care by at least £800 million - 25% - over the lifetime of the Parliament
Ms Sturgeon continues: "We will also remove charges for non-residential care.
"And we will introduce ‘Anne’s Law’, giving nominated relatives or friends the same access rights to care homes as staff."
The Scottish government is to resume making the case for independence - with the goal of holding a referendum by the end of 2023.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a vote would only be held "when the Covid crisis has passed".
But she said work would restart on a "detailed prospectus" so that voters can make a "fully informed" choice.
The Scottish government had previously paused work on its indyref2 plans because of Covid.
Image source, Getty ImagesMs Sturgeon pledges to address the drugs death crisis.
"We will do so with urgency and a deep sense of responsibility, and guided by lived experience.
"£250 million in additional funding will be invested across this Parliament to support better outreach, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare in every part of Scotland."
She turns her attention to mental health services and says an additional £120m will be allocated to them.
The immediate funding will support the recovery and transformation of services, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
It will also enable the full implementation of the national children's (CAMHS) service specification and clear historic waiting lists.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe first minister continues: "To ensure that Covid related backlogs are addressed and waiting times brought back within targets, we will substantially increase NHS capacity."
Inpatient and day case capacity will increase by 10% over the next year and by 20% over the next five years.
There will be a 10% increase in outpatient capacity by the end of this Parliament.
Over the same timescale, a mix of innovation and extra capacity will deliver 90,000 more diagnostic procedures.
The Recovery Plan will be backed by £1bn of targeted investment.
Ms Sturgeon confirms the government will increase investment in frontline health services by 20% over the lifetime of this Parliament.
"This means that by 2026/27, the frontline health budget will be £2.5 billion higher than it is today."
National treatment centres
Next on the agenda are the network of national treatment centres.
Ms Sturgeon confirms that 1,500 additional NHS staff members will be recruited to support this network. Centres in Fife, Forth Valley and Highland will open next year.
She also confirm that we will support the replacement of the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion.
And: "We will abolish dental charges for all," says the first minister.
Image source, Getty ImagesMs Sturgeon also refers to her government's plan to seek Holyrood's approval this week for a targeted system of vaccine certification.
She adds that a Covid Recovery Bill will embed reforms in public services and the justice system that, though necessitated by the pandemic, have delivered improvements. The bill will also help build resilience against future health threats.
The government will also shortly publish its wider Covid Recovery Strategy setting out the targeted actions it will take to address the impact of the pandemic.
Image source, Getty ImagesNicola Sturgeon continues: "We will support Test & Protect, and introduce the Coronavirus (Compensation for Self-isolation) Bill," says the first minister.
She says this will ensure that health boards can focus on key services, while local and national government provide support for those asked to self-isolate.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe PfG also reaffirms the Scottish governments commitment to indyref2, says the first minister.
She says the democratic mandate is beyond question.
Ms Sturgeon tells the chamber: "As we emerge from the pandemic, choices fall to be made that will shape our economy and society for decades to come.
"Which Parliament - Westminster or Holyrood - should make these choices? And what principles will they be guided by?
"These are questions which cannot be avoided, nor postponed until the die is already cast. So we intend to offer that choice.
"We will do so only when the Covid crisis has passed but our aim, Covid permitting, is that it will be in the first half of this Parliament - before the end of 2023."
Quote MessageOf course, the immediate priority of this government is to lead Scotland out of the pandemic. "
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister
Image source, Getty ImagesThe first minister begins by pledging to implement her manifesto and the cooperation agreement with the Scottish Green Party.
Ms Sturgeon says the PfG will detail how to reform Scotland's public services.
The first minister tells the chamber it will establish a National Care Service.
She adds it will extend and increase the Scottish Child Payment and build more affordable houses.
It will also address the climate crisis.
Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor
The UK government is putting up National Insurance contributions from 12% of pay above £9,000, and adding 1.25% to that.
It is to pay for a new scheme to tackle the acute problems of England’s social care system, yet it covers the whole UK as a "health and care levy".
According to the prime minister, funds will flow from that revenue into the devolved administrations: rising to £2.2bn per year, of which roughly half goes to Holyrood.
And he said there is a gap between the funds raised in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the funds distributed, meaning a combined gain for Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont of £300m.
England’s social care system should soon have nothing to pay for those with assets of less than £20,000, and there should be no more than £86,000 to pay over a lifetime.
Scotland’s social care system is going through change, with the setting up of a National Care Service, and implementation of the Feeley review, commissioned by Scottish ministers.
At present, there is up to £270 per week for those assessed as needing personal and nursing care. Additional costs have to be met by those with more than £18,000 in assets, including their homes. Self-funder fees help to subsidise the low level of council funding to residential care homes.
The Feeley review recommended a more generous home care system, without means testing and a more generous payment for nursing and personal care for those who are self-funders. It also recommended a significant lift in social care pay.
The total annual bill of including up to 36,000 people who appear to have fallen out of the support system was calculated at £660m.
It did not address the level of the £18,000 floor, below which the state pays the bills, or the unlimited amount that can be required of those with assets. In Scotland, people will still have to sell homes to pay the residential costs of long-term social care.
As part of the Programme for Government, Nicola Sturgeon will announce the implementation of "wraparound childcare" for the poorest families - aimed at offering care before and after school for free - to help parents get back into the workforce.
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Before we get to the Programme for Government, there are two topical questions and an urgent question:
Image source, PA MediaNicola Sturgeon is due to set out her Programme for Government from around 2.20pm.
Nicola Sturgeon is to set out the Scottish government's plans for the year to come at Holyrood.
The first minister will announce her "programme for government" of upcoming legislation in a speech to MSPs.
This is likely to include new bills supporting the key themes of the SNP's power-sharing deal with the Greens.
That agreement includes pledges to reform the Gender Recognition Act, set up a National Care Service, and to hold a new referendum on independence.
Opposition parties will also have a chance to set out their proposals for the year to come, with two days of debate scheduled at Holyrood.