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Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

All times stated are UK

  1. WATCH AGAIN: FMQs highlights

    We've been bringing you live coverage of First Minister's Questions, while Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has also been delivering the UK government's Autumn Statement at Westminster.

    Here's how things shaped up at Holyrood.

    View more on twitter
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    We're wrapping up our live coverage from Holyrood now, but you can read more about the Chancellor's Autumn Statement and its implications for Scotland here.

  2. First minister and SNP MP react to Autumn Statement

    Philip Sim

    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    Nicola Sturgeon offered some snap reaction to Jeremy Hunt’s plans at FMQs, but there was a more detailed speech from SNP MP Alison Thewliss in the Commons.

    She said Scotland and the UK were “living with the disastrous consequences of Trussonomics”.

    The Chancellor has promised an extra £1.5bn for Holyrood over the next two years, but Ms Thewliss noted that soaring inflation has squeezed this year’s funding by £1.7bn already.

    She also promoted Scottish government policies including the rent freeze - Mr Hunt has announced a cap for those on social rents - and the Scottish Child Payment, which was expanded this week.

    And the MP said Scotland was “paying a heavy price for being in the union”.

    Mr Hunt replied that Scotland leaving the UK would be “the most destabilising policy of all”, claiming there was “good co-operation” between the two governments on financial matters.

  3. Sturgeon: 'UK government repeating mistakes of the past'

    We've been bringing you live coverage and analysis from both Holyrood and Westminster, with the UK government's Autumn Statement being made at the same time as FMQs.

    And now they collide, as SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks the first minister what she thinks the impact will be on Scotland of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's statement.

    The FM says she has not had the opportunity to see the statement but says it is clear that the UK government is "repeating the mistakes of the past".

    She says austerity does not work and such plans will have significant consequences for people, businesses and public services.

    Ms Sturgeon says they are likely to worsen the extreme pressures being faced as a result of inflation and rising interest rates.

    She has called for an alternative approach and hopes that is listened to.

    Austerity is "the wrong approach", she says.

  4. Analysis

    Will Swinney go further on tax after Hunt's pledge?

    Westminster Autumn Statement

    Philip Sim

    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    Income tax changes at Westminster always lead to questions about whether changes will follow at Holyrood.

    The tax-free allowance – the point at which people start paying income tax – is being frozen UK-wide until 2028, meaning many people will see a greater proportion of their earnings taxed as wages rise.

    Beyond that, the two systems are quite different now; Scotland has five bands, to the three maintained down south. But comparisons are inevitably drawn between what people end up paying in different parts of the UK.

    Having previously frozen the threshold at which people start paying the upper rate of income tax, the Scottish government is likely to at least match Mr Hunt’s move to lower it.

    That will see more people pay the upper rate, which is 46p in Scotland, raising extra cash for public services. That’s in line with the way the Scottish government has always talked about redistributing wealth to support those on lower incomes.

    So the question for Mr Swinney may be whether he goes further, to raise more funds from the better-off – or if he seeks to send more cash lower earners by tweaking rates and bands at the other end of the scale.

  5. Cole-Hamilton condemns creation of 'deceptively-named National Care Service'

    On to Alex Cole-Hamilton, who says organisations including Barnardo's are lining up to condemn the creation of the "deceptively-named National Care Service".

    The Scottish Lib Dem leader warns that the cost has risen to £1.3bn and continues to rise and he calls for the scheme to be withdrawn and the cash put towards services and staff.

    The first minister argues her government is listening to those organisations.

    "The National Care Service is, of course, about ending a postcode lottery in adult social care," says Ms Sturgeon.

  6. 'Staff are crying out for help and patients are dying'

    Mr Sarwar insists the problems predate the budget and inflation crisis.

    He says the Scottish government has failed to "open up the books" to allow Scottish Labour to help find solutions to the health crisis.

    NHS staff are being told to "do more with less", the Scottish Labour leader adds, with patients left longer to be seen, longer to be diagnosed and longer to be treated.

    He adds that there is a crisis in every part of the health service.

    Quote Message: In our GP practices, at our A&Es, in our hospitals, staff are crying out for help and patients are dying. Does the first minister accept this is the worst it has ever been?" from Anas Sarwar Scottish Labour leader
    Anas SarwarScottish Labour leader

    The FM says she accepts responsibility but adds that the pressure on the NHS is greater than it has ever been at any point in its history.

    She says that the amount the Scottish government is able to invest in the health service is dependent on decisions taken at Westminster.

    She accuses Labour in Scotland of being "blind to reality".

  7. GP recruitment target is actually a cut, says Sarwar

    Mr Sarwar is having none of the FM's answer, saying that Scotland is 1,000 GPs short right now and quoting the BMA comment that this is "disastrous" for Scotland.

    He calls the 800 target a "cut" to numbers and asks the first minister if she will reverse this decision.

    She says she does not like the budget situation the Scottish government faces, with inflation eroding it by £1.7bn.

    She says they have no levers to increase revenue and difficult decisions need to be made.

    Ms Sturgeon says Scotland has more GPs per head of population than elsewhere in the UK, and as well as recruitment, redesign and reform work is happening in primary care.

    She adds that overseas recruitment is also attempting to boost numbers.

  8. BMA chief's warning that Scotland's GPs are at 'tipping point'

    Some background on Mr Sarwar's opening question...

    A senior doctor has warned GP surgeries across Scotland are at risk of collapsing because of staff shortages and increased demand.

    Dr Andrew Buist, chairman of the British Medical Association's (BMA) Scottish GP committee, told the BBC many practices were at "tipping point".

    More than a third of surveyed surgeries reported at least one GP vacancy – up from just over a quarter last year.

    The Scottish government said it was committed to increasing GP numbers.

    Read more here.

  9. Sarwar attacks FM on state of GP services

    Anas Sarwar

    Anas Sarwar is up next for Scottish Labour.

    He leads once again on the NHS, this time highlighting the BMA's warning on GP services.

    Mr Sarwar asks if the FM accepts criticism that the Scottish government is not doing enough.

    Ms Sturgeon accepts the BMA's findings and says the NHS is under severe pressure.

    She says that this is why the government has a target of recruiting 800 additional GPs and has so far recruited 277 since 2017.

    She says GP teams have been supported by recruiting wider staff such as pharmacists.

    Quote Message: People are sick of phone lines ringing out when they call their GP first thing in the morning." from Anas Sarwar Scottish Labour leader
    Anas SarwarScottish Labour leader
  10. Mild rebuke after 'fibbing jibe'

    Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone says she would prefer language that suggests members are being deliberately untruthful is not used in the chamber.

    This, one assumes, is in response to Douglas Ross accusing Nicola Sturgeon of being a "fibbing first minister".

  11. FM says delay to ferries is 'deeply regrettable'

    The first minister agrees the delay to the CalMac ferries has been "deeply regrettable".

    She reiterates the point that the first of the five Type 26 frigates will be delivered eight years late with a cost overrun.

    Ms Sturgeon accepts the impact of the ferry delays on island communities but turns her gaze down south to Westminster again.

    She tells the chamber the Autumn Statement highlights the £55bn black hole at the heart of UK finances, largely caused by Brexit and Tory economic mismanagement.

    More than half of the hole is being filled with spending cuts and that is having a "devastating impact".

  12. Analysis

    Hunt confident of UK-wide effects of tackling inflation

    Philip Sim

    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    Back at Westminster....Jeremy Hunt says, in the big picture, his goal of a “shallower” recession and a sharp fall in inflation would be felt UK-wide.

    He also aims to continue the “levelling up” approach of funnelling cash directly to local projects across the country.

    Those in the North Sea oil industry will also be examining the plans for an extended windfall tax with interest.

    And the Chancellor’s tax changes may have an impact on the Scottish government’s bank balance, depending on how John Swinney decides to use the levers at his disposal.

    Mr Hunt’s spending decisions will also echo through in next year’s block grant – he says an extra £1.5bn will be heading to Holyrood via the cash spent on schools and healthcare down south.

    Although given education and health are devolved, it will be for the Scottish government to decide how they are funded in the coming years.

  13. 'Fibbing first minister'

    CalMac ferry

    The Scottish Tory leader argues that anyone watching the Autumn Statement at Westminster will look at what that is delivering, rather than the narrative from the "fibbing first minister" who has been caught out so many times.

    Benefits and pensions are being increased in line with inflation, says Mr Ross, who adds health and education spending are also being increased.

    The UK government is also delivering £1.5bn of extra support to Scotland, he says.

    Mr Ross adds that the UK government has built seven warships and will deliver five more, while the SNP have delivered none.

    He calls on the first minister to accept that her government's failure to deliver lifeline ferries is doing "massive damage to our island communities".

  14. Sturgeon highlights Tory 'deep real-terms cuts'

    Nicola Sturgeon

    Ms Sturgeon has been responding to Douglas Ross on the announcement of shipyard contracts.

    She points out the first Royal Naval vessel won't be ready on the Clyde until eight years after the date it was due.

    The first minister adds that the cost will be £233m more than was forecast.

    She argues Douglas Ross is "running scared of an independence referendum".

    Ms Sturgeon points out people will be watching the Chancellor announce "significant deep real-terms cuts and tax rises".

    "That's the price of Tory government and that's why an increasing number of people in Scotland want this country to be independent."

  15. Analysis

    Hunt's 'balanced path to stability'

    Philip Sim

    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    As FMQs continues, Jeremy Hunt has been setting out his Autumn Statement at Westminster, promising a “balanced path to stability” against the backdrop of “unprecedented global headwinds”.

    This includes plans for more people in England and Wales to pay the upper rate of income tax, alongside changes to business rates and an extra round of “windfall taxes” on energy firms.

    Government departments will have to make efficiency savings over the next two years to deal with inflation, although extra cash is being promised for education and health.

    What does this mean in Scotland?

    Income rates and bands are devolved, but there will still be an impact in Scotland because the tax-free allowance is reserved – and is being frozen until 2028.

    Some benefits are also devolved, but others like Universal Credit remain under Westminster control – meaning the expected commitment to raise them in line with inflation will be felt here.

  16. 'The independence movement is sinking'

    Mr Ross points to the CalMac ferries fiasco and says the Scottish government "can't build a single ferry for £250m".

    The Scottish Tory leader adds that the FM knows "The independence movement is sinking. "It's absolutely sinking. She is up separation creek without a paddle."

    He argues the UK government has delivered seven ships during her time as first minister and he asks how many ships the SNP have delivered in this time.

  17. 'Massive boost to Scottish shipbuilding' - Ross

    Douglas Ross

    Mr Ross says this is a "massive boost to Scottish shipbuilding and is only possible because we are part of the United Kingdom".

    The Scottish Tory leader says, if Scotland was independent these Royal Navy ships would almost certainly be built elsewhere.

    He quotes defence expert Keith Hartley, who has said he does not see a future for a Scottish shipbuilding industry in an independent Scotland.

    The first minister hits back, saying she welcomes the debate about the benefits of independence and that it should lead to letting the people of Scotland have a referendum.

    Ms Sturgeon says she believes the skills of our shipbuilders on the Clyde are world class.

    She points out an independent Scotland would have naval capabilities of its own, that would be "served and improved apon by our world renowned shipbuilding industry".

  18. FM congratulates BAE on warships contract

    A total of eight Type 26 frigates are to be built in Scotland
    Image caption: A total of eight Type 26 frigates are to be built in Scotland

    "Yes I do recognise this announcement," replies Ms Sturgeon, who adds she also recognises the talent, skills and expertise of the workforce.

    The first minister congratulates BAE Systems on securing the contract, however she notes the original proposal back in 2010 was not for five new vessels, but for 13.

    She reiterates that she welcomes the news but warns against "rewriting of history".

  19. Ross calls on Sturgeon to welcome Clyde warships contract

    Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross starts by saying five Royal Navy warships are to be constructed in Glasgow after the prime minister confirmed the next phase in a shipbuilding programme.

    Rishi Sunak announced BAE Systems has been awarded a £4.2bn contract to build five more Type 26 frigates, on top of the three already under construction.

    The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the deal would support 1,700 jobs over the next decade at sites in Glasgow.

    The warships are replacing the navy's 12 ageing Type 23 frigates.

    Mr Ross asks: "Will the first minister join with me in wholeheartedly welcoming this huge investment, in Scottish jobs and our economy, by the UK government?"

  20. FMQs begins...

    Nicola Sturgeon is in her seat and Douglas Ross gets to his feet, as FMQs begins.