SNP MSP Sandra White says the problem is that the current social security system is "completely failing" those with mental health issues.

She says SAMH carried out a study and 98% of the respondents suffered from welfare reform and "the most startling statistic" is that six actually tried to take their own lives as the research was being carried out. 

Ms White says the system must be more transparent and clear.

The SNP MSP says benefit cuts concerns are being raised more and more in her constituency and she's sure it is the same across the board.

She says "it has a devastating affect on people" to be told they don't meet the criteria for certain benefits. 

Scottish Greens social security spokesperson Alison Johnstone says the current benefits system leads to people feeling lost and powerless and as if the system is out to defeat them. 

Ms Johnstone says: "We must do better and the Scottish Greens believe we can do better."

The Green MSP says there must be "clear defined rights", as well as respect and dignity, at the core of the new social security system.

Image source, bbc

She encourages the Scottish government to pursue the idea of a Young Carer's Allowance, which the new social security minister pledged to do in her opening speech.

Ms Johnstone welcomes the supportive words from the minister.

The Green MSPs says there are 44,000 carers under the age of 16 in Scotland and the Green policy of a Young Carer's Allowance would be a step towards providing the support they need.

Image source, Carers Week

Carers Week, external is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. 

The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who come together to organise activities and events throughout the UK, drawing attention to just how important caring is. 

This year the campaign is focusing on Building Carer Friendly Communities. 

Communities which support carers to look after their loved ones well, while recognising that they are individuals with needs of their own. 

Labour MSP Johann Lamont says carers have punched well above their weight since this parliament began and it is time they were rewarded.

"This is a challenge we must rise to", she says, and it is appropriate that this debate falls during Carer's Week. 

Ms Lamont says supporting carers is not something that should just be talked about on the campaign trail but is central to what parties must do now.

She says fighting for benefits is something that is central to recipient's lives.

The Labour MSP says her party has always been for the right to employment and disabled people must have the right to this too.

Ms Lamont says we buiild barriers for disabled people trying to get into employment and then denounce them for not working. 

Mr Balfour says everyone agrees there needs to be disability benefits but they should be "focused on the individual and be there to help that person and their family to be all the can be".

Scottish Conservative MSP Jeremey Balfour says it is a great honour to be elected to this parliament and represent the Lothians.

Mr Balfour pays warm tribute to the late David McLetchie.

He puts on record his thanks to the staff of the Royal Infirmary who looked after him for days during the campaign due to a heart problem.

The Conservative MSP says for 22 years he served as a disabled member that heard tribunals on PIP and DLA.

Mr Balfour says he is personally in receipt of PIP, previously DLA.

He warns against unnecessary unsettling of people with change and stress that PIP has bedded down and works well. 

SNP MSP Gillian Martin says, with disability benefits being devolved, this is an opportunity to do things differently to the Westminster government.

Ms Martin says dignity is not a word to be used with disdain but it is what every disabled person wants and something that has been missing under the UK's Department of Work and Pensions.

The SNP MSP says a substantial number of disabled people are cared for by their children and if they miss an appointment and are sanctioned under the UK system this affects their children as well as them, 

She says getting welfare right can impact on young carers perusing further and higher education and therefore will have an impact on another of the government's priorities, the attainment gap. 

Just to recap here's the Labour amendment that will receive the backing of the government and thus pass at decision time: 

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Mr Griffin concludes calling on all parties to come together to create the new social security system.

Social Security Minister Jeanne Freeman intervenes to tell Mark Griffin that the government will back his amendment calling for disability benefits to increase at least in line with inflation.

Labour MSP Mark Griffin says the devolution of social security powers will be "groundbreaking".

Mr Griffin says we should be "humbled by the challenge that lies ahead of us".

He says his amendment seeks to assure the financial assistance provided keeps pace with inflation.

The Labour MSP says there is expectation building in Scotland's communities, where campaigners will watch closely how the new powers are used.

Image source, PA

During the election campaign, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale pledged to:

• create Scotland's own social security agency 
• abolish the bedroom tax 
• new employment agency in Scotland

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Here's Labour MSP Mark Griffin's amendment.

Mr Tomkins says the introduction of PIP has faced difficulties but the government has worked hard to address backlogs.

He says: "PIP is a significant improvement on DLA."

The Conservative MSP asks about the timetable for the devolution of social security powers and the role of local authorities.

Mr Tomkins points to the "dignity of the paypacket".

The Conservative MSP says there is a lot of understandable concern about sanctions.

Those that cannot work are not sanctioned, only those able to undertake work are he says.

Mr Tomkins quotes the new UK work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb for adopting a new approach to disabled people.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart intervenes to ask why the UK government is delivering an 87% cut to the work programme funding.

Mr Tomkins says the Work Programme is being devolved in full to this parliament.

The Conservative MSP says the ideas of respect and dignity in social security are not new and everyone agrees with it.

He insists this is already enshrined in law.

Mr Stewart intervenes again calling for Mr Tomkins to condemn language like scivers and strivers.

Mr Tomkins insists he will use his own words.

Scottish Conservative social security spokesman Adam Tomkins says his amendment welcomes the government's move to bring Carer's Allowance into line with Jobseeker's Allowance as his party asked.

Social Security Secretary Angela Constance intervenes to say this was a government pledge before it was a Scottish Conservative one.

Mr Tomkins says this is an unfortunate intervention given all the talk from the government about working with the other parties and consensus.

Image source, Thinkstock

During the election campaign, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson pledged to :

• increase the rate of carers allowance to JSA level 
• devolve welfare powers further to local authorities 
• welfare system should be flexible and personalised 
• it should give those who can and want to work the opportunities and support to do so

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Here's Scottish Conservative social security spokesman Adam Tomkins' amendment.