Scottish Greens Co-convener Patrick Harvie says there is a deep connection between a strong economy and a strong society.

Mr Harvie says it is possible to have a strong economy without a having a strong society because we have seen this already in the past.

He says the Scottish Greens will be unable to support the motion or amendments and he is disappointed his party's amendment was not selected. 

"We are too dependent on oil and gas extraction", he says. 

Former Galloway MSP Alex Fergusson has received a knighthood in the Queen's birthday honours for services to politics and public life.

Image source, Other

The Conservative politician was a champion of rural affairs during 17 years at Holyrood.

He was elected as a south of Scotland MSP in 1999 before representing Galloway and Upper Nithsdale and Galloway and West Dumfries.

He was presiding officer between 2007 and 2011 and stood down in May.

Conservative MSP Finlay Carson takes to his feet to give his maiden speech and begins by praising his predecessor the recently knighted Sir Alex Ferugsson.

The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP follows tradition and waxes lyrical about his constituency.

Image source, bbc

He then moves on to the economy debate and calls for a South of Scotland enterprise company to help businesses with tailored solutions.

The new MSP says internet connectivity and transport are vital issues in his constituency.

SNP MSP Ivan McKee says global and political events have caused a drop in oil prices which no one in this chamber could control.

Mr McKee says the oil and gas industry underpins the Scottish economy but it is not the only one.

The SNP MSP says he wants to talk about "attractiveness" in the business, software and food and drink industries. 

He says the Scotland is "not just talking the talk but walking the walk" in these industries and exportation. 

The Scottish economy is slowing up more than previously expected, according to one of the leading independent forecasters.

The EY Scottish Item Club now estimates growth of only 1.2% for 2016, whereas last December it expected 1.9%.

That is just over half the equivalent forecast growth rate for the whole of the UK, of 2.3%.

Image source, Getty images

That assumes the referendum result retains Britain's place in the European Union.

If the vote is for Leave, there could be at least short-term uncertainty hitting economic performance.

In subsequent years, the forecast suggests that the gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK should narrow, but it remains significant.

The EY Scottish Item Club forecast is for 2% growth in Scottish output (or Gross Domestic Product) in 2017, compared with 2.6% for the UK.

Mr Fraser criticises the Scottish government's moratorium and calls for it to think again on this issue.

He then calls on Labour to make up its mind on fracking, saying "it has lost the plot".

Earlier this month the Scottish Parliament voted to support an outright ban on fracking after SNP MSPs abstained.

Labour had tabled an amendment saying there "should" be a full ban as part of an environment debate headed by new cabinet secretary Roseanna Cunningham.

It was passed and the amended motion was then passed by 32 votes to 29, after SNP MSPs abstained from both votes.

Image source, Getty images

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said there needed to be proper research and a public consultation before a decision was taken on fracking.

Scottish Labour said it would be "outrageous" if the SNP "ignored" the result of the vote.

The amendment is not a binding policy, but represents a defeat for the SNP, which supports a moratorium on fracking but stops short of backing a full ban.

Several Scottish Conservatives, led by new MSP Maurice Golden, spoke out in favour of fracking.

Mr Golden said fracking would boost jobs and the economy, and called on the SNP to "make up its mind" and stop blocking it.

Mr Fraser says when it comes to the opportunities from diversification, 52% of large companies have an interest in onshore shale gas. 

Image source, Thinkstock

He says: "Undoubtedly, as we have argued in this Chamber many times before, there are substantial opportunities to utilise the skills base in the oil and gas sector to develop a new industry, and create thousands of jobs, in onshore oil and gas."

"But sadly, these opportunities will not currently be found in Scotland, due to the Scottish government’s moratorium."

Murdo Fraser says it is a concern that there is a growing economic gap between the economic growth in Scotland and that of the rest of the UK.

The Tory MSP highlights the stark warning that "we are flirting with recession" from the Fraser of Allander Institute.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Here's Scottish Conservative Murdo Fraser's amendment.

Mr Wheelhouse says the government will ensure growing the economy remains central to everything that it does. 

Mr Wheelhouse says since 2007 Scotland's productivity has grown faster than the rest of the UK and Scotland is seeing record inward investment.

The minister says there will be an end to end review of the government's enterprise and skills review.

Mr Wheelhouse details the work of the Energy Jobs Taskforce to help those in the oil and gas industry.

Image source, Thinkstock

The minister says the Scottish government is pressing the UK government to do more to help the industry.

He says the labour market in Scotland has continued to grow.

However today's labour market statistics show the government it cannot be complacent, he says.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse says today's figures show unemployment fell in Scotland.

Mr Wheelhouse says the falling of oil and gas prices have presented particular challenges to the economy.

He says the Scottish government is working closely with the oil and gas industry, unions and the UK government to protect the sector. 

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Here's Economy Secretary Keith Brown's amendment for today's debate.

Ms Baillie calls for the creation of a new public body UK Oil to help the crisis and asks all the parties to help lobby the UK government for that. 

The Labour MSP says: "We need to work to secure jobs in the North Sea."

She calls for investment in decommissioning.

Ms Baillie implores the Scottish government to "not bury its head in the sand".

Image source, AFP

Economy Secretary Keith Brown highlights the work of the Energy Jobs Taskforce, external which he says has supported 8,800 individuals and over 100 employers to help those affected move forward into new employment, training or education.

The taskforce was set up last year to support jobs in the Scottish energy sector.

Ms Baillie welcomes the work of the Energy Jobs Taskforce and calls for an updated Oil and Gas Bulletin.

The Labour MSP calls for the taskforce to have a much sharper focus.

You know something's really badly wrong with North Sea oil and gas, when the people who control it are calling for their own overthrow.

The leaders are looking for leadership. Though fiercely competitive, they are asking someone to arrange for their collaboration.

Image source, PA

These are business people asking for government to take over their assets.

This follows months of bad news in which we risk becoming inured to the job losses, pay cuts, slashed investment budgets, and the sale or transfer of distressed assets.

Read more from Douglas

Senior figures in offshore oil and gas have called for more radical and urgent changes to avoid rapid decline.

They say there are only two years in which to secure the industry's future.

Image source, Shell

A report by PwC includes a proposal for a "super joint venture" between offshore operators.

It would share risk as well as return, and secure co-ordination of activities for smaller fields and fragmented assets, as some equipment nears the end of its working life.

It could also cut out as much as 15% of cost that results from duplication of effort.