If you're just joining us, here's a quick recap of the main lines that emerged in FMQs:

• Scotland is undoutbedly safer under this SNP government, insisted the first minister
• Humza Yousaf was responding to Douglas Ross's argument that the "thin blue line is barely visible" as policing dominated their interchanges
• Increasing numbers of patients are turning to private health care, argued Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar
• The FM said there is progress and recovery in the NHS but it would take time
• Climate change, offshore wind, Social Security Scotland and repeat offending were all raised from the backbenches

That's all from our live coverage of FMQs this week. The editor today was Paul McLaren. Craig Hutchison and Auryn Cox were the writers.

Pauline McNeill of Scottish Labour asks the FM what is being done to to tackle repeat offending, in light of a recent report that found that people who experience frequent and serious repeat violence often do not bring this to the attention of the authorities.

The first minister starts by reminding the chamber that it was the Scottish government who commissioned the report which she makes reference to.

"We knew that victims of repeat violence do not report their experiences and it is of course important to understand the reasons and rationale behind why and how we can help them access that support."

He says the government was putting victims at the heart of the reformed justice system and says it has invested £93m over the past five years to support victims.

Image source, PA Media

Tory MSP Miles Briggs points to statistics reportedly showing that the number of complaints against Social Security Scotland has increased by 350% in one year.

The FM replies that Social Security Scotland has introduced 13 benefits with a total investment of £12bn.

Yousaf argues Scotland has a "radically different" social security system to the rest of the UK and insists complaints levels remain low.

Briggs asks when all benefits will be devolved and the FM hits back saying "Social Security Scotland is a success story" in stark difference to the Department of Work and Pensions.

That's not the way Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden sees it.

He says the fact there have been no offshore wind bids should be a "wake-up call for this government".

Lumsden warns the government not to "put all its eggs in one basket" and he calls for "a more balanced energy mix that includes nuclear energy".

Humza Yousaf tells the chamber Lumsden should be embarrassed by his contribution and points out the UK government controls the bidding process.

Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart says offshore wind is a crucial part of reaching net-zero targets and the FM agrees it will make a significant contribution to Scotland's finances.

He argues the UK government has "turned its back" on the renewables potential.

Image source, getty

SNP MSP Jackie Dunbar asks the FM what action the Scottish Government is taking to encourage investment in offshore wind and hydrogen power in Scotland.

Her question follows reports that no bids were received for offshore wind projects in the UK government’s latest contract-for-difference round.

Yousaf says the question exposed the UK government's "complete failure to capture one of the greatest opportunities for Scotland's net zero economy".

"Their inexplicable stance is both anti-climate and also anti-growth. Industry has sent the UK government a clear signal that the strike price must increase and we back those calls 100%."

Image source, Getty Images

Tackling climate change needs a rapid transformation of the way our world works, travels, eats and uses energy, according to an important UN review.

This is the first "global stocktake" to examine the efforts of countries to reduce planet-warming emissions since the Paris agreement was signed in 2015.

While progress has been made, efforts now need to be massively scaled up.

The report calls for "radical decarbonisation" with a fast phase out of fossil fuels without carbon capture.

Burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal to generate electricity emits carbon dioxide, which is the main driver of climate change. Carbon capture in industrial processes and power stations stops most of the CO2 produced from being released, and either reuses it or stores it underground.

• Read more here
• What is carbon capture and can it fight climate change?
• A really simple guide to climate change
• What does net zero mean?

Image source, Getty Images

Green MSP Ross Greer asks what action the Scottish government is taking in response to the first UN global stocktake report on the Paris Climate Agreement.

The first minister tells the chamber the conclusions of the report are "deeply worrying" and all countries must do more.

"Scotland will of course play her part," he adds, looking forward to COP28.

Greer says green policies like getting rid of peak-time rail fares are having a big impact.

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack then highlights the missing of climate change targets and raises the issue of fuel poverty.

The FM says the Scottish government "does not just talk the talk, we will walk the walk" and goes on to say the updated climate change plan will be published by the end of this year.

Anas Sarwar continues by listing more examples of treatment being paid for by patients privately, including 1,745 rounds of chemotherapy.

"Healthcare free at the point of need, a founding principle of our NHS. How can the SNP have let it get so bad that patients are having to find the cash to pay for life-saving cancer treatment," he asks the FM.

Mr Yousaf responds by saying the SNP do not want people to have to pay for treatment out of their own pockets.

He again points out the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on waiting times and healthcare systems across the world - not just in Scotland.

"Scotland has a lower rate of take-up of private healthcare compared to England and Wales.

"The rate of people who are self-funding for private inpatient day care is 16% higher in England and in Wales it is 51% higher where the Labour party are in charge."

He says the SNP will continue to aid the healthcare system's recovery and make sure Scotland's NHS staff are the best paid in the UK.

Scottish Labour's turn now and leader Anas Sarwar starts with increasing numbers of people turning to private care due to long NHS wait times.

He says 40% of all knee and hip replacements being carried out in Scotland have been self-funded.

Mr Sarwar asks the FM why he thinks it's acceptable that 49,000 patients last year were forced to cover the cost of their hip or knee replacements due to his failures.

Image source, PA Media

Humza Yousaf responds by saying every time Sarwar asks the question, "he fails to mention of course the biggest shock our NHS has ever faced in its 75 year existence.

"And health services right across the UK, including in Scotland, are of course ensuring that we recover."

The FM also points out areas where waiting list times have been reduced and said there is progress and recovery being made but it will take time.

Douglas Ross says budgets are so stressed that Police Scotland is warning officer redundancies are now on the table.

Officer numbers are in "freefall" argues the Scottish Tory leader who adds that without further funding 2,000 officers may be let go in the next five years.

About 600 could be off the streets in the next year, stretching policing in Scotland to breaking point, Ross says.

Police Scotland have seen a "significant increase to their budget" the FM hits back.

Yousaf argues there are more officers on the beat in Scotland than England and they are paid better here.

Ross says: "The thin blue line is barely visible at this rate."

The FM responds saying real-terms increases to the budget will be considered.

Humza Yousaf replies that the UK government has cut the capital budget of Scotland by 6.5%.

The first minister insists the Scottish government has increased the police budget by £80m and there are more officers per capita in Scotland than England.

"Scotland is undoubtedly safer under this SNP goverment, that is a fact."

Image source, PA Media

The first minister says his government has increased the budget of Police Scotland by 6.3%.

Humza Yousaf insists the plans to roll out body-worn video cameras remain.

Ross hits back, pointing to the evidence from Police Scotland that this cannot be guaranteed.

The Scottish Tory leader says there is a £300m black hole in the police capital budget and he calls on the FM to treat the issue as a priority.

Douglas Ross begins by raising body-worn cameras for police officers and the evidence given by Police Scotland that they may not be able to roll them out next year.

The Scottish Conservatives' leader reminds the first minister that he did not deliver them when he was justice minister and asks if Humza Yousaf will "let police officers down again".

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross gets to his feet and First Minister Humza Yousaf sits poised and ready as FMQs gets under way.

Remember you can watch proceedings by clicking on the play icon at the top of this live page.

What forced the SNP's hand over their serial rebel?published at 11:54 British Summer Time 14 September 2023

11:54 BST 14 September 2023

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

This disciplinary action has been a long time coming. Fergus Ewing has become something of a serial rebel, but it was his decision to vote with the opposition in a motion of no confidence against the Greens' Lorna Slater over the deposit return scheme that prompted the whips to respond.

The Bute House agreement between the SNP and the Greens requires Green MSPs to back the government in a motion of no confidence.

The expectation is that SNP MSPs would be supportive too and there was anger within the group about perceived disloyalty to the government.

A short-term suspension of the whip was about to be delivered when the SNP legend, and Fergus’s mother, Winnie Ewing died.

That obviously delayed matters, with the sanction now expected to be handed down next week.

Fergus Ewing, meanwhile, remains unrepentant and insists he will continue to vote with his principles and on behalf of his constituents.

Image source, PA Media

Ahead of FMQs, there is some breaking news surrounding MSP Fergus Ewing.

It has been announced that SNP MSPs will meet next week to decide what disciplinary action should be taken against the ex-minister.

The veteran MSP is expected to lose the party whip for a limited period. MSPs have been told there will be a three-line whip at the meeting next Wednesday.

That means attendance is compulsory, but they will not be told how to vote on any proposed sanction.

Image source, PA Media

This is the second week of the new regime during FMQs, with strict timings to be adhered to.

Last week, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone put MSPs on the clock in a bid to cut out waffling and allow more topics to be raised.

Members will again get 45 seconds to ask a question and ministers will get one minute to respond.

Last week, more questions were asked and the proceedings were certainly snappier.

It's been another busy week in Scottish politics. Let's recap the main stories that have been dominating the headlines:

Police Scotland has warned it could be forced to make compulsory redundancies as the force faces having to cut 800 officers and staff by April 2024.

There is the prospect that overall numbers could fall by more than 2,000 over the next four years if budgets are not increased.

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), meanwhile, said it may have to take 18 fire appliances off the road as a result of financial pressures, with chief officer Ross Haggart raising fears about the impact this could have on community safety.

It emerged that the UK government will not block plans for a drug consumption room pilot in Scotland, according to the Scottish secretary.

A UK Parliament researcher arrested under anti-espionage laws amid claims he was spying for China has said he is "completely innocent".

Image source, PA Media

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

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

FMQs gets under way at noon. You can watch live from the chamber by clicking the play icon at the top of this page.