SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks how youth employment in Scotland compares with the rest of the EU.

Women's Employment Minister Annabelle Ewing says the pay gap is narrower in Scotland than the rest of the UK. 

Ms Ewing says the fact this is having to be discussed is beyond comprehension. 

Mr Beattie says any gender gap is too high. 

The minister says addressing the gender pay gap is a top priority of the Scottish government. 

The latest figures, published last month, show that the gender pay gap has fallen faster in Scotland than it has in the UK as a whole.

Image source, PA

The difference between the full-time median earnings of men and women fell by one fifth of a percentage point in the UK while in Scotland the drop was 1.8 percentage points.

The gender pay gap in Scotland now stands at 7.3%, according to the Office for National Statistics, while in the UK it is 9.4%. 

SNP MSP Colin Beattie asks what its position is on reports that the gender pay gap in Scotland is 7.3%, compared with 9.4% in the UK. 

Fair Work, Skills and Training Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says the infrastructure priority on energy efficiency will be developed as it is piloted. 

Ms Cunningham says it will provide a tremendous opportunity in jobs and skills.  

Green MSP Patrick Harvie asks what the implications are for skills and training of its proposed national infrastructure priority on energy efficiency. 

Fair Work Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says there are ongoing discussions with the Treasury on the apprenticeships levy. 

There is still not clarity on Scotland's share, the minister says.

A new apprenticeship levy of 0.5% on company payrolls will raise £3bn a year and fund three million apprenticeships, the chancellor announced in the autumn statement. 

The new charge will be imposed from April 2017 and help ensure that big business shoulders the cost of training workers, George Osborne said. 

But business groups have described the levy as a new "payroll tax". 

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The Institute of Directors said it would be a big cost for many companies, including medium-sized firms.

The CBI said it was a significant extra tax for business that would hit many smaller companies. 

Only businesses with a wage bill of more than £3m will pay the levy, which the government said would exempt 98% of employers. 

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie asks for an update on its discussions with the UK government regarding the Apprenticeship Levy. 

Unemployment in Scotland rose over the summer months but fell in the UK as a whole, according to official statistics published last month. 

The jobless total north of the borderincreased by 11,000 in the three monthsto September, to stand at 166,000. 

Across the UK, the number of unemployed fell by more than 100,0000 over the same period, to 1.75 million.

Image source, PA

The Scottish unemployment rate is 6%, which is above the rate of 5.3% for the whole of the UK. 

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also showed that employment in Scotland increased by 3,000, to reach 2,614,000. 

The number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance dropped by 1,700 to 68,800 between September and October - 20,200 fewer than a year ago. 

Labour MSP Paul Martin asks what steps have been taken to tackle unemployment in Glasgow Provan. 

Fair Work Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says there has been substantive progress made on the living wage.

Ms Cunningham says over 80% of employees in Scotland are currently being paid the living wage or higher.   

A fifth of working people in Scotland are paid less than the voluntary Living Wage, according to research published in November. 

Figures, published by KPMG, indicated 20% of employees earned less than the Living Wage - an increase of 1% from last year. 

But Scotland had one of the lowest proportions of workers paid below the rate, 3% less than the UK average. 

The Living Wage is set by an independent foundation and has been adopted by 380 Scottish firms. 

SNP MSP Willie Coffey asks the Scottish government how many employers in Scotland pay the living wage. 

From 2.30pm we will bring you extensive coverage of the draft budget statement from John Swinney.

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Children and Young People Minister Aileen Campbell thanks SNP MSP Christian Allard for clearing up the pronunciation of Garioch. 

The minister says there are many issues facing young families today such as mental health, isolation and separation. 

She says the government have invested in this area through various funds and strategies.

Ms Campbell says the work that Home Start and its dedicated volunteers is to be applauded. 

The minster says volunteers get benefits back including being involved in the local community and experience.

SNP MSP Christian Allard explains the pronunciation of Garioch (PRON: Geer-ee) and says in the North East there are many people from around the world.

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Mr Allard praises the staff of Garioch Home-Start and the important support they provide.

He says single parents particularly benefit from Home-Start. 

Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone gives apologies for his colleague Nanette Milne who was due to be at the debate.

Ms Milne has been called away on other business says Mr Johnstone.

The Conservative MSP says he is delighted to be a part of the debate and he thinks it's wonderful that this organisation is there to support family networks. 

Mr Johnstone says that these organisations need support at a government level and that should not be forgotten. 

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald says in rural areas there is an increased sense of isolation and this affects the service Home Start Garioch can offer.

Image source, bbc

Mr Macdonald says Home Start operates across the UK and around the world and there is a network of Home Start schemes in the North East.

They all make use of the skills of the volunteers and that is absolutely critical, he says.

SNP MSP David Torrance says volunteers are expected to have some experience but they also receive training.

After the training they are paired with a family, he says.

Mr Torrance says the work of Home Start is as vital today as it's ever been particularly with the UK government welfare cuts.

The SNP MSP says in his constituency of Kirkcaldy has a high level of teenage mothers who are often disadvantaged and require the help of organisations such as Home Start.