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The European and External Relations Committee took evidence on alternatives to EU membership
Social care, computer programming and tax reform were all discussed during general questions
Nicola Sturgeon faced opposition party leaders during first minister's questions
SNP MSP Christian Allard led a debate focusing on the impact of the UK Immigration Bill on Scotland.
The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill was debated for the first time
The Scottish government lead a debate celebrating the success of Scotland’s young people and youth work
The parliament is adjourned ending our Holyrood Live coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 21 January 2016.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentHolyrood at night, much like the chamber this afternoon!
We hope you all have a good weekend and we'll be back next week.
Deputy Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick says the parliament power supply was interrupted twice this afternoon, with the loss of lighting.
The cause was external, says Ms Marwick.
MSPs agree the general principles of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill, external.
The government motion from the Celebrating the Success of Scotland's Young People and Youth Work debate is passed unanimously.
The Labour amendment was defeated.
Ms Campbell praises the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and wishes them a happy 60th birthday.
The minister says the UK government wants to apply a one size fits all approach through the cadets system.
Image source, PA'Happy 60th birthday' Duke of Edinburgh awards
She calls on the UK government to take cognisance of all youth work in Scotland, which we should be proud of.
The Youth Awards Networks future looks very bright, says the minister.
Ms Campbell concludes saying there is a good story to tell about youth awards, with 73,000 stories of young people helping their communities.
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Young People's Minister Aileen Campbell highlights the power of what youth work can achieve.
It can keep young people in education longer and can reach those furthest away from achieving qualifications, says the minister.
Ms Campbell says the reach of youth work is vast and its impact must be understood in an evidenced way.
She says there is nothing worse than adults assuming what children want.
Labour MSP Iain Gray says there were 73,000 youth awards last year and there has been cross-party praise of the youth work sector during the debate.
Mr Gray says East Lothian was singled out for praise in the review of youth awards.
The East Lothian MSP highlights the work of Recharge, external in Tranent
Image source, RechargeRecharge
The Labour MSP also praises the increasing John Muir Awards, external.
Mr Gray says he is disappointed that the minister said she would not back his amendment.
His amendment asserts young people's achievements of all kinds should be more systematically recognised by the education system through the adoption of a universal Scottish graduate certificate encompassing academic, vocational and voluntary achievement.
Scottish Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw says the debate has been conducted in lighting that created the atmosphere of a Barry Manilow concert.
Mr Carlaw also praises the the deputy presiding officer, who he says is "much more electable with the lights out".
The Tory MSP praises the Duke of Edinburgh award and he highlights the increase of awards across Scotland.
He says there must be a focus on ensuring employers are fully aware of the outcomes of the awards.
Mr Carlaw says time in the cadets can give a lifelong appreciation of volunteering and disparages anyone who says that time creates "cannon fodder".
SNP MSP Graeme Day says it is important that young people's voices are heard.
Mr Day says the young people he comes into contact with gives him great confidence in future generations.
The deputy presiding officer praises MSPs for carrying on in difficult circumstances.
Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott begins his speech as the light gently returns to the chamber like a Spring dawn.
Mr Scott, as he emerges from the gloom, praises the "excellent briefing" from YouthLink Scotland's chief executive Jim Sweeney.
He says there must be parity between youth work and schools in trying to achieve the many goals, like closing the attainment gap.
Young people have been delivering a National Call to Action to politicians across Scotland in their local constituencies.
In a Holyrood manifesto launch with young people at the heart of it, Scotland’s National Youth Work Agency, YouthLink Scotland has called for further investment in the youth work sector as part of the drive to close the educational attainment gap.
Image source, YouthLink ScotlandFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon receives a Call to Action from Scotland's young people
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon is one of 150 politicians who have been visited by young local constituents.
She met with Suleman Rehman, Yusuf Desai and Muhammad Mahmood.
Yusuf and Muhammad are working towards their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Suleman is working with a team at Southside Housing Association to design a new youth work project for young people aged 14-18 in Pollokshields.
Labour MSP Drew Smith also bravely carries on in the near dark, as it appears a second power cut has taken hold at Holyrood.
Mr Smith says the deputy presiding officer may be gesturing for him to hurry up, but he is going to carry on as he can't see him!
The Labour MSP commends all the good work going on in youth work across Scotland.
SNP MSP Linda Fabiani says she's quite happy to continue in the dark.
Ms Fabiani says in her own area there is a youth club called The Key but that the youngsters there never meet young people from different clubs.
Various clubs need to be brought together, she says.
The East Kilbirde MSP says there is much being done but more can be done.
The lights go out yet again at Holyrood.
SNP MSP Linda Fabiani soldiers in the dark, given the advice of the deputy presiding officer.
YouthLink Scotland, external says the Youth Awards Network was established in 2008 and there has been a significant growth in participation and completion of youth awards.
There has been a 273% increase between 2009/10 and 2014/15 over a selection of youth awards..
Youth work from YouthLink Scotland
The Education Scotland HMIE Report, A review of youth awards in Scotland: Helping young people to be successful, confident, effective and responsible , externalpraised the Youth Awards Network
Scottish Conservative MSP Nanette Milne says there is more work to be done on the Labour amendment and her party will not be supporting it.
Surely there can be no better investment than supporting the young people that need help the most in their local communities, she says.
Ms Milne says the fact that we are debating these issues is good news going forward.
She says she would like to see evidence based research linking the Youth Awards to attainment.
Young People
Image source, Scottish government/ Youth Work StrategyScottish government/ Youth Work Strategy
Workforce
For further info please click here, external to see the full survey.
National Voluntary Youth Work Organisations (Scotland) Survey 2012 and YouthLink Scotland Local Authority Data Return (2014, unpublished)
The Labour MSP says a real partnership between formal education and youth work is essential to close the attainment gap.
Ms Hilton says that is why the Labour amendment asserts young people's achievements of all kinds.
It says these achievements should be more systematically recognised by the education system through the adoption of a universal Scottish graduate certificate encompassing academic, vocational and voluntary achievement.
She says YouthLink Scotland's chief executive Jim Sweeney has said not all young people respond to formal education and another path is needed.
Ms Hilton says investing in youth work now can help to address future budget challenges.
YouthLink Scotland, external is the national agency for Youth Work, with over 100 youth organisations represented; its membership represents the whole of the youth work sector in Scotland, including youth work services in your local constituency.
Image source, Cashback Story Book Launch Barnardo's Graffiti girlCashback Story Book Launch Barnardo's Graffiti girl
YouthLink Scotland is a member of the Youth Awards Network, and it welcomes the recent publication of the Education Scotland report, A Review of Youth Awards in Scotland.
Youth Awards add a significant benefit and strength to the provision of youth work and the positive outcomes experienced by young people through youth work – and make a valued contribution to the many ways in which Youth Work Changes Lives.
Labour MSP Cara Hilton joins the minister in welcoming the success of Scotland's young people and the growth of youth awards.
Ms Hilton says the awards have a key role to play.
The Labour MSP says for some young people youth awards can be life changing.
Ms Hilton says YouthLink Scotland estimate 53% of young people have worked with the National Youth Work Organisations.
She cites the case of a young man, who is transgender, who told her that youth work saved his life.
Ms Campbell says 49% of young people in Scotland are involved in voluntary work which is the highest in the UK.
Volunteering and participating help our young people to play an important role in society, she says.
The minister says the independence referendum showed how beneficial it was having young people involved in politics.
Ms Campbell says there is more we can do to put forward the benefits of youth work.