That's all from Holyrood Live on 3 February 2016, we'll be back tomorrow morning with coverage of the Equal Opportunities Committee from 9.30am.

MSPs will hear from the  Scottish Transgender Alliance and the Equal Recognition Campaign.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Until then have a peaceful evening.   

Transport Secretary Derek Mackay says to reinstate ESSR there must be clear evidence of support locally and he suggests a meeting with Jim Eadie and the council. 

Mr Eadie calls on the government to keep an open mind and "think outside the box".

The minister says the fact he is going to have meeting shows he is open minded but he stresses there are no plans to fund this project at this stage. 

Labour MSP David Stewart says he strongly supports the ESSR reinstatement.

Mr Stewart says this would cut transport times and reduce carbon emissions.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says when you put rail down and put trains on them people come and use them. 

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says this is a subject that is really close to her heart.

She says her party suggested the reopening of this line in 2007.

Ms Johnstone says there was real support for this proposal then and she thinks there would be again.

The Green MSP says this would help the football fans travelling to see Hearts and the students travelling to Napier University.

Conservative MSP Cameron Buchanan says the reinstatement of the ESSR would bring economic and social benefits to Edinburgh.

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack says the lack of access to rail is something we need to think about.

Ms Boyack says the South Sub or ESSR could be a "game changer".

The Lothian MSP says she hopes the minister will look at bringing people together to bring back the ESSR. 

Mr Eadie says hybrid tram-trains may be the best option for a reinstated ESSR.

The SNP MSP concludes reinstating it would give the opportunity to think big for Edibnurgh.

"This is an idea whose time has come."

Mr Eadie says using existing transport infrastructure through innovative methods of transport might represent the best means of reopening the line. 

The SNP MSP praises the ambitious proposals in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city deal, which, he says, outline the need to upgrade existing transport infrastructure to enhance the network of integrated and sustainable transport links across the Lothian region. 

He says he believes that the reinstatement of the ESSR could bring significant economic and social benefits to the people of Edinburgh. 

Jim Eadie, the SNP MSP for Edinburgh Southern, begins by paying tribute to the Capital Rail Action Group, external.

Image source, bbc

He says there has never been a better time for the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway (ESSR) to be reinstated for passenger use.

Image source, BBC/IVON BARTHOLOMEW

Mr Eadie says the issue has long been highlighted by MSPs at Holyrood.

The SNP MSP says he went on a journey on the ESSR with former MSPs Margo Macdonald, David McLetchie and Robin Harper, three of the best parliamentarians in his experience.  

SNP MSP Jim Eadie leads a member's debate entitled 'Reinstatement of the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway'. 

The Edinburgh Southern MSP uses his motion to praise the ongoing campaign that is being led by the Capital Rail Action Group, external to reinstate the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway (ESSR) for passenger use. 

Mr Eadie says the previous passenger service ran from Waverley station via Haymarket, Gorgie, Craiglockhart, Morningside, Blackford, Newington, Craigmillar and Portobello stations. 

He points to the the development of new and innovative methods of transport in other parts of Europe, such as the hybrid tram-train that has been used in parts of Germany since the 1990s, and which, it understands, is soon to be piloted in Sheffield. 

SNP MSP Jim Eadie will now lead a member's debate entitled 'Reinstatement of the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway'. 

MSPs vote to back the general principles of the Budget (Scotland)(No.5) Bill, external.

63 MSPs backed the general principles, 46 voted against and there were 15 abstentions.

The amendment from Labour, calling for the Scottish rate of income tax to be set at 11p for 2016-17, is defeated.

43 MSPs back it, but 81 vote against.

Mr Swinney says the SNP do not want to impose tax hikes on low income households.

The finance secretary says he hopes parliament will support the Budget Bill at decision time, to which we now come. 

Mr Swinney insists local government will get 26% of capital del available to the Scottish government over the next four years. 

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie asks if the local government deal is so great why is he having to impose the triple lock on councils. 

The finance secretary explains the council tax freeze, the living wage for care workers and the teacher pupil ratio are important to him. 

Image source, Thinkstock

He says the reduction in the resource budget of local government is £350m is offset by the £250m funding for social care and health integration. 

Some of the rhetoric is "utterly misplaced" he says. 

The deputy first minister says he has been unable to replace climate change funding removed by the UK government. 

Green MSP Patrick Harvie asks if the dramatic increase in the road network is down to the  UK government too. 

Mr Swinney points out investment in the rail network and moves on. 

Finance Secretary John Swinney begins by saying there is no basis for agreement on the fiscal framework that is consistent with the Smith Commission.

He says it must also be fair for Scotland.

Image source, Getty Images

Labour MSP Neil Findlay asks why council leaders should sign up to a deal that makes them considerably worse of.

Mr Swinney says he will come to local government funding shortly. 

Labour MSP Alex Rowley begins by acknowledging all the council workers who lobbied the parliament today to protect local services.

Mr Rowley says there is a clear choice in terms of this budget: "Cut Scotland's future or you can invest for Scotland's future."

He says Labour are for investing in Scotland's future and his party is confident the rebate for the lower earners can work. 

The Labour MSP says there are threats to early years budgets up and down the country.

Conservative MSP Gavin Brown says finally the Labour party have come to the parliament with a policy. 

Mr Brown says the Labour party have ignored all the evidence to come up with a policy. 

The Tory MSP says he hopes the government won't be bowed by Labour pressure.

SNP MSP John Mason says the Scottish Rate of Income Tax (SRIT) is a significant new power from the 1st of April.

Mr Mason says he would happily raise taxes to redistribute wealth fairly.

He says SRIT is progressive but not very progressive and a lot of people on lower incomes could really do without a tax increase at this time.