Summary

  • Humza Yousaf faces questions from opposition party leaders and backbench MSPs during FMQs

  • Douglas Ross asks if the FM will sack Fergus Ewing after he voted against the circular economy minister in a vote of no confidence

  • Humza Yousaf says he will not be taking any lessons in leadership from Douglas Ross and says it is actually Alistair Jack who is in charge of the Scottish Tories

  • Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar highlights Labour's green energy plans which it says will cut bills and create jobs

  • Humza Yousaf hits back, saying the plan to end North Sea exploration was "panned" by the industry, climate change activists and unions

Live Reporting

Edited by Catherine Lyst

  1. Why is Yousaf considering getting rid of Ewing and not Slater?

    Fergus Ewing

    The FM is accused of sacrificing Fergus Ewing

    The Scottish Tory leader accuses the FM of sacrificing a former cabinet secretary, Fergus Ewing, for the current Green minister, Lorna Slater.

    Ross highlights the "disastrous handling" of the deposit-return scheme (DRS) by Slater.

    The Scottish Tory leader reminds people that Fergus Ewing is the son of Winnie Ewing and he says we've moved to "stop the SNP Fergus Ewing is getting off".

  2. Yousaf attacks leadership of Ross

    Humza Yousaf hits back, saying he won't be taking any lessons in leadership from Douglas Ross.

    The FM says Ross failed to "muster his own Scottish Tory MPs to vote to sanction Boris Johnson".

    He insists it is actually Alistair Jack who is in charge of the Scottish Tories.

  3. Background: Bottle return scheme firm appoints administrators

    A recycling facility in Aberdeenshire - with a large batch of 'deposit return' bins - now deserted after the collapse of Circularity Scotland

    A recycling facility in Aberdeenshire - with a large batch of 'deposit return' bins - now deserted after the collapse of Circularity Scotland

    The firm which was due to manage a controversial recycling scheme in Scotland has gone into administration.

    Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater told MSPs the collapse of Circularity Scotland was a "disaster" for its 60 workers.

    The company was in charge of the deposit-return scheme (DRS), which has been delayed until 2025.

    Ms Slater blamed the firm's demise on conditions imposed by the UK government such as the exclusion of glass.

  4. Will the FM sack Fergus Ewing?

    Douglas Ross begins by reminding the chamber that SNP MSP Fergus Ewing voted against the circular economy minister in a vote of no confidence.

    The Scottish Tory leader asks if the FM will sack Fergus Ewing.

  5. First minister's questions begins

    Douglas Ross is on his feet and Humza Yousaf is sitting poised for action as FMQs begins.

  6. Analysis

    What can we expect from FMQs today?

    Philip Sim
    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    MSPs may be somewhat bleary-eyed at FMQs today, having stayed up late into the night yesterday working on legislation.

    That bill may come up in the session too, given there is controversy over some of the plans to reform how people are released on bail and from prison.

    Douglas Ross may fancy a question on the topic of justice – but equally he may home in on the other issue raised by the Conservatives this week, the Deposit Return Scheme.

    His party tabled a vote of no confidence in the minister responsible for it – Lorna Slater – which is a rare move at Holyrood, and one that his party may look to continue to capitalise on despite the fact the motion was comfortably defeated.

    There are plenty of other potential questions too though – like the government missing its emissions targets again, or the decision to ban the use a chemical which controls the spread of bracken.

    And Humza Yousaf will no doubt find a chance to bring up interest rates and the cost of living, and the UK government’s handling of the economy.

  7. What's been making the headlines this week?

    Bottle recyclingGetty Images

    As ever, we don't know the topics each opposition party leader will raise with Humza Yousaf, but we do know the stories that have been dominating the headlines this week.

    The controversial deposit-return scheme was again under scrutiny, with Circularity Scotland going into administration.

    Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater survived a vote of no confidence, with SNP MSP Fergus Ewing voting against the minister.

    Away from the DRS there's more controversy brewing over proposed legislation, this time with charities expressing concerns about the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill. MSPs debated amendments to the bill until late last night.

    Scotland's target for cutting planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions was missed after a bounce back following the pandemic.

    On Tuesday Nicola Sturgeon returned to the Scottish Parliament for the first time since being arrested as part of an investigation into SNP finances.

    The former first minister was released without charge after being questioned by Police Scotland for more than seven hours last week.

    And as the Royal Highland Show gets under way farmers have been denied emergency access to a banned chemical to control bracken growth in Scotland.

  8. Welcome

    Humza Yousaf will field questions from opposition party leaders and backbench MSPs during FMQsPA Media

    Humza Yousaf will field questions from opposition party leaders and backbench MSPs during FMQs

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of First Minister's Questions.

    We'll bring you all the action from Holyrood, with updates and analysis.

    FMQs gets under way at 12pm and you can watch the proceedings by clicking on the play icon at the top of the page.