Holyrood as it happened: 21 January 2016

Summary

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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

Live Reporting

Craig Hutchison and Colin Bell

Background: Switzerland's relationship with the EUpublished at 09:32 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January 2016
Switzerland is not in the European Union, but it has trade arrangements with surrounding countries, where passports are not needed, and the euro is widely accepted.
Adam Fleming reports from Berne for Politics Europe about the Swiss psyche and its complicated legal arrangements with the EU.
Image source, bbc
Image caption,
Switzerland and Norway are not in the EU
Some Eurosceptics see the Switzerland as model for a potential future UK-EU relationship, if Britain were to cut, or loosen, its links with Brussels.
Background: Norway's relationship with the EUpublished at 09:29 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January 2016
Norway declared its independence in 1905 when the union with Sweden was dissolved. Norway's people value their independence and prosperity highly.
The Norwegians rejected membership of the then European Economic Community in 1972, and of the European Union in 1994, despite being urged by their governments to vote "yes".
Norway is not part of the EU or its common fisheries policy (CFP), it manages and controls its own waters and fish stocks and they are thriving.
Norwegians regard the CFP with disdain and as a result the fishing industry has been one of the bulwarks against Norwegian entry to the EU.
European and External Relations Committee begins shortlypublished at 09:24
The European and External Relations Committee, external will shortly begin taking evidence, from an international panel, on alternatives to EU membership.
Image caption,
The committee will look at alternatives to membership in the EU
Giving evidence today will be:
- Professor Dr Andreas Auer LL.M. from the Universities of Zurich and Geneva
- Niels Engelschiøn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oslo
- Knut Hermansen from the Norwegian Mission to the EU in Brussels
- Dáithí O'Ceallaigh from the Institute of International and European Affairs and former Irish Ambassador to the UK
Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Livepublished at 09:15 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January 2016
Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 21 January 2016.
From 9.30am this morning MSPS will take evidence on alternatives to EU membership.
Image source, Getty images
After general questions, we’ll bring you extensive coverage of first minister’s questions, with all the social media reaction as it happens.
Image caption,
Nicola Sturgeon answers questions at First Minister's Questions
The member’s debate will be led by SNP MSP Christian Allard and focuses on the impact of the UK Immigration Bill on Scotland.
The afternoon session in the chamber begins with the Stage 1 debate on the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill.
The legislation aims to protect the country's 700,000 private sector tenants from rogue landlords and offer protection against the threat of unfair eviction and big rent increases.
The Scottish government will then lead a debate celebrating the success of Scotland’s young people and youth work.