Ms Sturgeon says in the run up to the Holyrood elections, education will be put at the forefront of the SNP campaign.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says Ms Sturgeon has not met her own "timid plans" on nursery education.

The first minister says the figures are better than Mr Rennie is quoting and the government is funding for 27% of two year olds.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says, before prescription charges were abolished by her government, 600,000 low income families had to pay for medicines for conditions such as asthma. 

Ms Sturgeon says the Scottish government should be proud of their achievements. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the SNP is building on strong foundations.

The NHS has a record budget and staffing levels, she says.

Ms Sturgeon cites Scotland's world class universities and she says she is proud the success has not been achieved by ending free tuition.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon begins by expressing her sympathy to all who are dealing with the impact of flooding and expresses her heartfelt thanks to those tackling it. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will now lead a the first chamber debate of 2016.  

The debate is entitle 'Supporting Public Services, Tackling Inequality and Growing Scotland's Economy'.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie asks why the temporary fix will not allow HGVs to cross.

Mr Mackay says further work is necessary to ensure safety and is based on engineering expertise.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay says there is no plans currently to reimburse haulage companies but dialogue continues. 

He says all the focus is on getting the bridge opened as quickly as possible. 

Transport Minister Derek Mackay says a permanent repair to allow HGVs across the Forth Road Bridge will begin shortly and the bridge will be open to HGVs by mid-February.

Traffic returned to the Forth Road Bridge on Wednesday 23 December after the completion of temporary repairs.

The first cars were allowed back onto the crossing at 05:20 after engineers welded a splint onto damaged steelwork.

Heavy goods vehicles will remain banned until further work is carried out, with this scheduled for completion by "mid-February".

The bridge was closed to all traffic on 4 December after a crack was discovered in a truss under the carriageway.

Five heavy lorries have been turned away from the bridge since it reopened.

Bridge operating company Amey said vehicles weighing over seven and a half tonnes are prevented from using the bridge until permanent repairs to a cracked steel truss are made.

SNP MSP Mike MacKenzie asks the Scottish government what progress it has made on reopening the Forth Road Bridge to all vehicles.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald raises the issue of flooding in Aberdeen and the surrounding area.

The deputy first minister says discussions are ongoing with Aberdeen City Council.

SNP MSP Dennis Robertson asks about the damage to Ballater and what can be done to help them.

Mr Robertson says Ballater is "virtually cut off".

Mr Swinney compliments Aberdeenshire Council for their response to the very difficult conditions last week.

Conservative MSP Alex Fergusson calls for immediate financial assistance to those hit be flooding, as is happening elsewhere in the UK.

Mr Swinney says in the light of the events of the last couple of weeks there will be a further allocation of funding. 

The deputy first minister calls for Labour to say where the funding for reversing the cut to SEPA should come from.

Mr Swinney says instead of another "talking shop" we should get on with delivering flood protection.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says across South of Scotland there has been many areas hit by flooding.

Ms Beamish calls for the cuts to the SEPA budget to be reviewed and calls for a review of flood strategy.

Mr Swinney says he is surprised by the line of argument taken by Ms Beamish.

The finance secretary says SEPA have no responsibility for flood prevention, rather for flood detection.

This is protected by his budget, insists Mr Swinney. 

SNP MSP Rob Gibson raises the issue of rail disruption and the response from Scotrail.

The deputy first minister says the transport minister is present and has heard his point. 

Image source, Scotrail

Mr Swinney says there must be good quality information for the travelling public.

He says the use of social media has been "really first class".

Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes says the flooding in Aberdeenshire has been unprecedented.

Ms McInnes asks about temporary support.

Mr Swinney says discussions are ongoing with Aberdeenshire Council and the damage to the A93 is so bad part of the road is gone.

Labour MSP Elaine Murray says the Whitesands have been flooded again and asks what help they can be given.

Ms Murray says her own office is under two feet of water, but it is not that office she is referring to.

Image source, AP

Mr Swinney says he has made a financial commitment to Dumfries and Galloway Council which he will review in the light of recent days.  

The Bellwin schem, externale allows local authorities to reclaim the cost of dealing with flooding above a certain threshold.  

SNP MSP Angus Macdonald asks for an assessment of flood prevention and protection schemes.

Mr Swinney says: "The flood protection schemes in place have been successful to date".