Summary

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  • MSPs unanimously passed a motion of condolence for the victims of the Brussels attack

  • Labour MSP Alex Rowley led a debate on water safety in Scotland

  • Nicola Sturgeon was quizzed by opposition MSPs for the final first minister's questions before dissolution

  • Scotland's party leaders debated a motion of thanks, the final item of business of this parliamentary session

  1. Background: The modernisation of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act 1919 Scottish Green partypublished at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    According to reports in the Sunday Herald: , external

    "A land revolution is being planned for Scotland which would see huge swathes of countryside taken from rich private landowners and handed over to ordinary people. 

    "Campaigners - spearheaded by the Scottish Greens - say a law passed to give land to Scottish soldiers returning from the First World War can be repurposed to reverse what they believe is the most inequitable land ownership in the western world. 

    "More than half of Scotland is owned by fewer than 500 people or businesses. Now campaigners want to use the long-forgotten 1919 Land Resettlement (Scotland) Act to even the scales."

  2. Green MSP calls on Scotland's land to be unlockedpublished at 12:27 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Patrick Harvie

    Ms Sturgeon says the Land Reform Bill just passed will create a fairer Scotland.

    Mr Harvie says he recognises the value of the legislation just passed.

    The Scottish Green Party co-convener says there are hugely concentrated patterns of land ownership in Scotland and calls for the power of land to be unlocked. 

    Ms Sturgeon says she is happy to consider if a reformed Land Settlement Act is necessary, if re-elected. 

  3. Postpublished at 12:27 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    As parliament draws to a close, many feeling the fatigue on Twitter

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  4. Question on the modernisation of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act 1919.published at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Green MSP Patrick Harvie asks what the government's position is on the modernisation of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act 1919. 

  5. Devolution to the rest of Scotland highlightedpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Mr Smith says local government in Scotland should be restored.

    The first minister says there is an opportunity in the next parliament to decide what powers can be devolved to the rest of Scotland.

  6. Question on calls from COSLA to strengthen local democracypublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Labour MSP Drew Smith asks what the government's position is on the call from COSLA for a constitutional convention to restore and strengthen local democracy. 

  7. First minister says chancellor's polices 'too cruel for IDS'published at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Mr Stewart says the Tories are the "nasty party" who have attacked the disabled.

    Ms Sturgeons states that when the chancellor's policies were "too cruel and a step too far" for Iain Duncan Smith, then you know how far the Tories have gone.

  8. First minister says new welfare powers will create a better and fairer Scotlandpublished at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Ms Sturgeon says the chancellor has had to backtrack on his deeply misguided cuts to disabled people.

    The first minister says that is in stark contrast to her government.

    She says she will use the new welfare powers to create a better and fairer Scotland. 

  9. Question on creating a fairer Scotlandpublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    SNP MSP Kevin Stewart asks what actions the government can and will take to create a fairer Scotland, in light of recent UK government decisions. 

  10. Is education not worth a penny more, asks Mr Rennie?published at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Mr Rennie says his party's penny for education works and asks if the first minister says teachers and pupils are not worth a penny more.

    Ms Sturgeon says her party's tax proposals over the life of the next parliament will raise an additional £2bn to invest in public services. 

  11. Analysis: The tax battle lines have been drawnpublished at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Douglas Fraser
    Scotland business & economy editor

    Now we know the more important tax choices being set out by political leaders ahead of the Holyrood election.

    Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney have long argued that they need the levers of power at Holyrood. And having got powers over income tax, it seems they're barely going to touch them.

    Council tax goes reformed - a bit, but not that much.

    GBP bank notes and coins
    Image caption,

    Scotland's political parties are setting out their approach to using new tax powers

    The SNP leaders' calculation appears to be a safety-first, cautious appeal to the part of the electorate that pays taxes, as well as those looking to the state for public services.

    From the SNP's position of electoral and polling strength, some - such as the Scottish Trades Union Congress - argue there's no better time to be courageous.

  12. Scottish Lib Dem leader says SNP tax plans are timidpublished at 12:19 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Willie Rennie

    Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says the first minister's big idea on tax is the status quo and to do nothing at all, saying she has been timid.

    Ms Sturgeon says her party are putting forward fair and balanced tax policies that will "not clobber working people across the country".

  13. First minister again says scheme is an entitlementpublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Ms Sturgeon says the named person scheme will be universally available but is an entitlement not an obligation.

  14. Scottish Tory leader says named person legislation is unpopularpublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Ruth Davidson

    Ms Sturgeon says when it comes to protecting our children we should ensure the right support services are in place and are available to every child.

    Ms Davidson says that was anything but clear.

    The Scottish Conservative leader says her party's amendments offering an opt out were voted down by the SNP.

    The Tory MSP says named person legislation is so sweeping and now so unpopular that it is not a surprise the first minister is trying to spin her way out of this.

  15. Postpublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

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  16. Background: Scottish government's 'named person' plan faces Supreme Court challengepublished at 12:15 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    A legal challenge against Scottish government plans to appoint a "named person" for every child in Scotland is being heard at the Supreme Court.

    Four charities and three individuals have lodged an appeal against the scheme, which is due to come into force in August.

    Child holding adult's finger
    Image caption,

    The named person plan would see a professional such as a teacher or health visitor look out for the welfare of children under 18

    The plan is part of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, external.

    Ministers believe it will help protect children, but critics have said it will create a "nanny state".

    The scheme would allow the named person - usually a senior teacher - to provide advice, information or support where appropriate to promote, support or safeguard the wellbeing of youngsters under the age of 18.

  17. Postpublished at 12:14 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Much #FMQs debate on twitter around tax proposals

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  18. First minister 'proud of tax proposals'published at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Ms Sturgeon says her party's tax proposals will provide an additional £2bn for public service.

    She says the public will choose her party to continue governing this country.

  19. Kezia Dugdale: 'FM uses Holyrood as a conveyor belt for Tory cuts'published at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2016

    Ms Dugdale says the first minister refuses to use the powers to stop the cuts.

    She says the first minister won't ask the richest 1% to protect education.

    The Scottish Labour leader says Ms Sturgeon uses this parliament as a "conveyor belt for Tory cuts".