With that our live coverage of FMQs draws to a close. Thank you for joining us.
Ordinary Scots blocked from degree course - Michael Marra
Labour MSP Michael Marra says this year for many courses at Edinburgh University, outside of widening access places, there were zero Scots admitted.
Widening access places are designed to encourage more people from deprived backgrounds or underperforming state schools into education.
Mr Marra says the doors are closed to pupils from ordinary families and average school - "no matter their mind or their endeavor". He asks: "How has it come to this?"
The first minister replies: "I'm actually quite gobsmacked that that question has been put in that way by a Labour member of parliament."
Ms Sturgeon says a record number of 18-year-old Scots have secured a university place, up 20% since 2019.
She argues the data shows there are more students from deprived areas than was the case in 2019.
The first minister points out she appears to be being criticised for too many students from deprived areas going to university.
Whistleblower’s fears over pressures at Fife hospital
Concerns about conditions in the emergency department at Kirkcaldy's Victoria
Hospital are raised by Tory MSP Roz McCall.
The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife says she was told by
a whistleblower that staff believed the criteria for calling a critical incident was met but they were prevented from doing so.
The first minister is asked to give reassurance there has been no
political direction to health boards to not call critical incidents.
Ms Sturgeon gives this reassurance, adding it is “up
to health boards to take whatever decisions they think are necessary to prioritise
healthcare”.
The days leading up to the Christmas break were particularly
fraught ones at Holyrood, with furious rows between parties about late-night
sittings and frequent protests from the public galleries.
And the festive break doesn’t seem to have done much to
bring the temperature back down.
There are still campaigners protesting in the chamber; there
are still angry exchanges between political leaders.
We have also seen a continuation of the “procedural warfare”
between parties, with frequent points of
order and the Tories and Labour trying to derail a planned
independence debate on Tuesday.
As with many of the votes we saw on gender reform
legislation at the end of last year, they knew their amendments stood no chance
of passing – but wanted to press the issue to make a point.
Of course the SNP and Greens know the independence motion
passed on Tuesday will not move the dial on a referendum, but wanted to press
the issue to make a point.
If anything, the parliament looks more divided than ever as
we head into 2023.
Scottish ministers urged to introduce cap on bus fares
Nicola Sturgeon faces calls to bring in a cap on bus
fares.
Ms Sturgeon points out Scotland “already has the most generous
concessionary fare scheme in the UK” with its free bus passes for younger and
older people.
The first minister says a “fair fares” review by Transport
Scotland is also under way.
Mr Bibby argues a review is not needed to show how expensive bus travel is for people who pay for their fares.
Background: New CalMac ferries for Western Isles to be built in Turkey
bbcCopyright: bbc
The new ships will be based on the specification for two vessels being built for the Islay routeImage caption: The new ships will be based on the specification for two vessels being built for the Islay route
Why are Islay ferries being built in Turkey with steel from China?
Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks why two ferries which will serve Islay are being made in Turkey.
The first minister replies that is in line with relevant procurement legislation, with the ferries contract awarded after a full and open tendering process.
The bid represented the best value for money, she adds.
Mr Kerr highlights the government's failures on environment and emissions and asks if Ms Sturgeon is comfortable the steel is coming from China.
The first minister says it is really important to stress the Scottish government complies with procurement legislation.
Ms Sturgeon explains the responsibility for sourcing the steel is down to the company who was awarded the contract.
The SNP MSP says the "alarming" report showed how critical it was that measures are taken now to tackle climate change in Scotland.
During the question, parliament was briefly suspended as there was shouting from the public gallery which appeared to be an environmental protestor.
Ms Sturgeon says: "We are already experiencing climate change conditions in Scotland, we must adapt to this and prepare for further impact."
The first minister says that many of the changes needed, such as increased use of renewable energy, create a "massive opportunity for Scotland
which we must seize”.
Ukrainian refugee went back to war zone to see doctor - Cole-Hamilton
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Alex Cole-Hamilton also raises the issue of the crisis in the NHS, saying his party has carried out research which shows last year one in six people who could not get a GP appointment actually carried out a medical procedure on themselves or got someone else to do it.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader says Maria is a 22-year-old Ukrainian refugee with a thyroid problem who had to wait so long that it actually made more sense to travel back to a war zone to see a doctor there.
"That is appalling," says Mr Cole-Hamilton who asks if the first minister is embarrassed by this.
Ms Sturgeon says she has no knowledge of that case and it would be wrong to comment on an individual case.
She insists general practice is supported in Scotland and there are more GPs per head of population in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.
Analysis
Labour take a longer view of the pressures on the NHS
Anas Sarwar also focused on health – as he does every week –
but sought to take a longer view of pressures on services.
His charge is that these issues predate the pandemic,
essentially looking to use the SNP’s lengthy period in office against it; given
they have been in charge of the devolved health portfolio since 2007, who else
could be to blame?
And indeed Ms Sturgeon has actually started including
specific caveats in her speeches about how Covid-19 isn’t entirely to blame –
she made that point in Monday’s briefing.
This is perhaps because Rishi Sunak has been mounting a very
similar defence about the impact of the pandemic.
And Ms Sturgeon would like to direct some blame for the
state of services towards that other long-serving government – the
Conservatives, who have been in charge at Westminster since 2010.
Mr Sarwar meanwhile is in a position where he can gleefully
attack both governments – a rather thin silver lining to the fact Labour has
been in opposition in both parliaments for over a decade.
'Sticking plaster approach' not working says Sarwar
NHS staff are being asked “to do the impossible” says Mr
Sarwar who continues to argue the health service’s problems stem from before the
Covid pandemic.
The Scottish Labour leader says this is “not just a crisis
in winter, this is a crisis all-year-round” for the health service.
Ms Sturgeon says "no government anywhere has a single solution" to this issue and that she and her colleagues will “continue to work with, and listen
to, those on frontline”.
The first minister cites plans to raise taxes as one example
of trying to raise more investment for the NHS.
Holyrood temporarily suspended
The Scottish Parliament is briefly suspended due to a protest from the gallery.
Sarwar: NHS crisis is '10 years in the making'
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says the crisis facing
the NHS has been “10 years in the making”.
The Labour MSP says that message came from a summit of
health professionals he hosted on Wednesday where he said he was repeatedly
told the “NHS is broken and the system is failing”.
Ms Sturgeon acknowledges the “pre-existing challenges” facing
the NHS before the Covid pandemic but says funding and headcount in the heath service has
significantly increased.
She challenges the suggestion by Mr Sarwar that Covid and
flu are not the reasons behind the current pressures on the NHS.
A new year of FMQs has commenced with the same topic which
dominated the end of 2022 – the health service – and a continuation of the
Conservative campaign to remove Humza Yousaf as health secretary.
For all the familiarity of the debate, these were fiery
exchanges. Nicola Sturgeon accused Douglas Ross of “insulting people’s
intelligence”, while at one point he said she had given a “despicable answer”.
Mr Yousaf was at the first minister’s side today, just as he
was at Monday’s health briefing where she offered him her full backing.
Ms Sturgeon also made the point that health service
pressures are not unique to Scotland. They exist in Scotland under the SNP, in
Wales under Labour, and in England under the Conservatives.
That means all three governments are working to find similar
answers, while opposition parties in each area are posing similar questions.
Sturgeon stands by Humza Yousaf
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The first minister argues she and her health secretary will continue to take the actions that are necessary every day.
Nicola Sturgeon points out staff in the NHS in Scotland are being offered a higher pay deal than in any other part of the UK.
"Thus far we have avoided industrial action in our National Health Service," she adds.
Ross calls on FM to sack health secretary
The Scottish Tory leader says the first minister has effectively confirmed there are 60 avoidable deaths a week now.
Mr Ross raises the case of an 80-year-old man who broke his neck and had to wait for several hours and for seven emergency calls to be made.
"Surely for the good of Scotland it's time to sack Humza Yousaf," he says.
'I am not blaming patients for anything'
The first minister says when people have their treatment delayed there are severe consequences.
Ms Sturgeon explains that is why the government is working with the NHS to reduce long waits.
She reiterates: "I am not blaming patients for anything."
The first minister argues Douglas Ross does not understand the flow of patients through the NHS.
Sixty avoidable deaths a week in Scotland, says Ross
The Scottish Conservative leader warns the first minister those words on strikes may come back to haunt her.
Mr Ross argues the problem is this government's handling of the crisis and its failure to tackle bed-blocking.
He says there are now 60 avoidable deaths a week in Scotland.
FM says 'nobody is blaming the patients'
Nicola Sturgeon replies nobody is blaming the patients, "especially not me".
The first minister says unnecessary attendances at hospital are not in the interests of patients.
She praises the work of NHS24 and the ambulance service and the "see and treat" approach.
The first minister explains the focus is to speed up discharges and free up beds.
She points out there has been no strikes in the NHS in Scotland, while they have occurred in England.
The blame lies with the Scottish government and not the patients, says Ross
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Mr Ross asks how nationalist MSPs can clap such a despicable answer.
He raises comments by a doctor's union who said Scotland's hospitals are "not safe" for patients under current winter pressures on the NHS.
Live Reporting
BBC Scotland News
All times stated are UK
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bbcCopyright: bbc The new ships will be based on the specification for two vessels being built for the Islay routeImage caption: The new ships will be based on the specification for two vessels being built for the Islay route - £115m ferry contract for two new CalMac ships
- Dossier suggests ferry deal may have been rigged
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Analysis
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Analysis
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Latest PostWATCH AGAIN: FMQs highlights
With that our live coverage of FMQs draws to a close. Thank you for joining us.
Ordinary Scots blocked from degree course - Michael Marra
Labour MSP Michael Marra says this year for many courses at Edinburgh University, outside of widening access places, there were zero Scots admitted.
Widening access places are designed to encourage more people from deprived backgrounds or underperforming state schools into education.
Mr Marra says the doors are closed to pupils from ordinary families and average school - "no matter their mind or their endeavor". He asks: "How has it come to this?"
The first minister replies: "I'm actually quite gobsmacked that that question has been put in that way by a Labour member of parliament."
Ms Sturgeon says a record number of 18-year-old Scots have secured a university place, up 20% since 2019.
She argues the data shows there are more students from deprived areas than was the case in 2019.
The first minister points out she appears to be being criticised for too many students from deprived areas going to university.
Whistleblower’s fears over pressures at Fife hospital
Concerns about conditions in the emergency department at Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital are raised by Tory MSP Roz McCall.
The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife says she was told by a whistleblower that staff believed the criteria for calling a critical incident was met but they were prevented from doing so.
The first minister is asked to give reassurance there has been no political direction to health boards to not call critical incidents.
Ms Sturgeon gives this reassurance, adding it is “up to health boards to take whatever decisions they think are necessary to prioritise healthcare”.
It comes after NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde refused a request for a critical incident to be declared from doctors at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital last month.
Parliament looks more divided than ever in 2023
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
The days leading up to the Christmas break were particularly fraught ones at Holyrood, with furious rows between parties about late-night sittings and frequent protests from the public galleries.
And the festive break doesn’t seem to have done much to bring the temperature back down.
There are still campaigners protesting in the chamber; there are still angry exchanges between political leaders.
We have also seen a continuation of the “procedural warfare” between parties, with frequent points of order and the Tories and Labour trying to derail a planned independence debate on Tuesday.
As with many of the votes we saw on gender reform legislation at the end of last year, they knew their amendments stood no chance of passing – but wanted to press the issue to make a point.
Of course the SNP and Greens know the independence motion passed on Tuesday will not move the dial on a referendum, but wanted to press the issue to make a point.
If anything, the parliament looks more divided than ever as we head into 2023.
Scottish ministers urged to introduce cap on bus fares
Nicola Sturgeon faces calls to bring in a cap on bus fares.
Labour MSP Neil Bibby points out more than 130 bus operators in England have signed up to limit fares to £2 for the first three months of the year.
Ms Sturgeon points out Scotland “already has the most generous concessionary fare scheme in the UK” with its free bus passes for younger and older people.
The first minister says a “fair fares” review by Transport Scotland is also under way.
Mr Bibby argues a review is not needed to show how expensive bus travel is for people who pay for their fares.
Background: New CalMac ferries for Western Isles to be built in Turkey
Two new ferries for the CalMac fleet are to be built in Turkey.
The Scottish government announced in October it would spend £115m on new vessels for the Skye, Harris and North Uist service.
Ferries agency CMAL has now named the preferred bidder as Turkish yard Cemre, which is already building two ships for CalMac's Islay route.
The nationalised Ferguson shipyard did not bid for the latest order and was not shortlisted for the Islay ships.
Why are Islay ferries being built in Turkey with steel from China?
Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks why two ferries which will serve Islay are being made in Turkey.
The first minister replies that is in line with relevant procurement legislation, with the ferries contract awarded after a full and open tendering process.
The bid represented the best value for money, she adds.
Mr Kerr highlights the government's failures on environment and emissions and asks if Ms Sturgeon is comfortable the steel is coming from China.
The first minister says it is really important to stress the Scottish government complies with procurement legislation.
Ms Sturgeon explains the responsibility for sourcing the steel is down to the company who was awarded the contract.
Calls for accelerated climate change plan
Fiona Hyslop asks if plans to tackle climate change can be accelerated after the Met Office confirmed that 2022 was Scotland's hottest year on record.
The SNP MSP says the "alarming" report showed how critical it was that measures are taken now to tackle climate change in Scotland.
During the question, parliament was briefly suspended as there was shouting from the public gallery which appeared to be an environmental protestor.
Ms Sturgeon says: "We are already experiencing climate change conditions in Scotland, we must adapt to this and prepare for further impact."
The first minister says that many of the changes needed, such as increased use of renewable energy, create a "massive opportunity for Scotland which we must seize”.
Ukrainian refugee went back to war zone to see doctor - Cole-Hamilton
Alex Cole-Hamilton also raises the issue of the crisis in the NHS, saying his party has carried out research which shows last year one in six people who could not get a GP appointment actually carried out a medical procedure on themselves or got someone else to do it.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader says Maria is a 22-year-old Ukrainian refugee with a thyroid problem who had to wait so long that it actually made more sense to travel back to a war zone to see a doctor there.
"That is appalling," says Mr Cole-Hamilton who asks if the first minister is embarrassed by this.
Ms Sturgeon says she has no knowledge of that case and it would be wrong to comment on an individual case.
She insists general practice is supported in Scotland and there are more GPs per head of population in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.
Labour take a longer view of the pressures on the NHS
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
Anas Sarwar also focused on health – as he does every week – but sought to take a longer view of pressures on services.
His charge is that these issues predate the pandemic, essentially looking to use the SNP’s lengthy period in office against it; given they have been in charge of the devolved health portfolio since 2007, who else could be to blame?
And indeed Ms Sturgeon has actually started including specific caveats in her speeches about how Covid-19 isn’t entirely to blame – she made that point in Monday’s briefing.
This is perhaps because Rishi Sunak has been mounting a very similar defence about the impact of the pandemic.
And Ms Sturgeon would like to direct some blame for the state of services towards that other long-serving government – the Conservatives, who have been in charge at Westminster since 2010.
Mr Sarwar meanwhile is in a position where he can gleefully attack both governments – a rather thin silver lining to the fact Labour has been in opposition in both parliaments for over a decade.
'Sticking plaster approach' not working says Sarwar
NHS staff are being asked “to do the impossible” says Mr Sarwar who continues to argue the health service’s problems stem from before the Covid pandemic.
The Scottish Labour leader says this is “not just a crisis in winter, this is a crisis all-year-round” for the health service.
Ms Sturgeon says "no government anywhere has a single solution" to this issue and that she and her colleagues will “continue to work with, and listen to, those on frontline”.
The first minister cites plans to raise taxes as one example of trying to raise more investment for the NHS.
Holyrood temporarily suspended
The Scottish Parliament is briefly suspended due to a protest from the gallery.
Sarwar: NHS crisis is '10 years in the making'
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says the crisis facing the NHS has been “10 years in the making”.
The Labour MSP says that message came from a summit of health professionals he hosted on Wednesday where he said he was repeatedly told the “NHS is broken and the system is failing”.
Ms Sturgeon acknowledges the “pre-existing challenges” facing the NHS before the Covid pandemic but says funding and headcount in the heath service has significantly increased.
She challenges the suggestion by Mr Sarwar that Covid and flu are not the reasons behind the current pressures on the NHS.
Fiery exchanges during a familiar debate
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
A new year of FMQs has commenced with the same topic which dominated the end of 2022 – the health service – and a continuation of the Conservative campaign to remove Humza Yousaf as health secretary.
For all the familiarity of the debate, these were fiery exchanges. Nicola Sturgeon accused Douglas Ross of “insulting people’s intelligence”, while at one point he said she had given a “despicable answer”.
Mr Yousaf was at the first minister’s side today, just as he was at Monday’s health briefing where she offered him her full backing.
Ms Sturgeon also made the point that health service pressures are not unique to Scotland. They exist in Scotland under the SNP, in Wales under Labour, and in England under the Conservatives.
That means all three governments are working to find similar answers, while opposition parties in each area are posing similar questions.
Sturgeon stands by Humza Yousaf
The first minister argues she and her health secretary will continue to take the actions that are necessary every day.
Nicola Sturgeon points out staff in the NHS in Scotland are being offered a higher pay deal than in any other part of the UK.
"Thus far we have avoided industrial action in our National Health Service," she adds.
Ross calls on FM to sack health secretary
The Scottish Tory leader says the first minister has effectively confirmed there are 60 avoidable deaths a week now.
Mr Ross raises the case of an 80-year-old man who broke his neck and had to wait for several hours and for seven emergency calls to be made.
"Surely for the good of Scotland it's time to sack Humza Yousaf," he says.
'I am not blaming patients for anything'
The first minister says when people have their treatment delayed there are severe consequences.
Ms Sturgeon explains that is why the government is working with the NHS to reduce long waits.
She reiterates: "I am not blaming patients for anything."
The first minister argues Douglas Ross does not understand the flow of patients through the NHS.
Sixty avoidable deaths a week in Scotland, says Ross
The Scottish Conservative leader warns the first minister those words on strikes may come back to haunt her.
Mr Ross argues the problem is this government's handling of the crisis and its failure to tackle bed-blocking.
He says there are now 60 avoidable deaths a week in Scotland.
FM says 'nobody is blaming the patients'
Nicola Sturgeon replies nobody is blaming the patients, "especially not me".
The first minister says unnecessary attendances at hospital are not in the interests of patients.
She praises the work of NHS24 and the ambulance service and the "see and treat" approach.
The first minister explains the focus is to speed up discharges and free up beds.
She points out there has been no strikes in the NHS in Scotland, while they have occurred in England.
The blame lies with the Scottish government and not the patients, says Ross
Mr Ross asks how nationalist MSPs can clap such a despicable answer.
He raises comments by a doctor's union who said Scotland's hospitals are "not safe" for patients under current winter pressures on the NHS.
Dr Lailah Peel, deputy chair of BMA Scotland, said patient safety was now "at risk every day" in A&E departments.
The Scottish Conservative leader says the blame lies with the Scottish government and not the patients.