Summary

  • Nicola Sturgeon says independence referendum is on the table but not the starting point, after the Brexit vote

  • The European and External Affairs Committee met

  1. That's all from Holyrood Live for now, have a lovely summerpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Holyrood reflected in a pondImage source, Scottish Parliament/ Andrew Cowan
    Image caption,

    Time for reflection on an turbulent time in politics

    That's all from the Holyrood Live team until after the summer... unless of course the Scottish Parliament is recalled.

    Catch up with all Scotland's political news here.

    Have a lovely and peaceful summer.

  2. Postpublished at 12:49 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    And some Twitter verdicts from FMQs...

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  3. That end's first minister's questionspublished at 12:49 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    That end's first minister's questions and indeed the business of the Scottish Parliament before the Summer recess.

    Of course the MSPs and the Queen will be back on Saturday for the opening ceremony. 

  4. First minister calls for meaningful discussions between RMT and ScotRailpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Labour MSP Neil Bibby asks what the Scottish government's position is on the industrial dispute between the RMT and ScotRail.

    The first minister says she is extremely disappointed with the disupte and calls for meaningful discussion.

  5. Background: BMA warning over family doctor shortagepublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    DoctorImage source, PA

    The lack of GPs in Scotland has been described as "extremely concerning" by the British Medical Association (BMA).

    A survey found 28.5% of Scottish practices had at least one GP vacancy as of 1 June, up 2.5% in three months.

    The BMA said vacancies were putting more strain on remaining GPs who have to cover staffing gaps as well as facing increased service demands.

    Health Secretary Shona Robison said the Scottish government was already taking steps to improve GP recruitment.

  6. 'Investment and reform are the key watchwords' for the NHS, says Ms Sturgeonpublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Conservative MSP Donald Cameron asks what long-term plans the Scottish government has to address concerns about the sustainability of the NHS in Scotland that were raised recently by the BMA.

    The first minister says over the parliamentary session the SNP will increase the health budget by more than £500m.

    Ms Sturgeon says investment and reform are the key watchwords. 

    Mr Cameron says as a former health secretary she bears some responsibility for BMA's concerns.

    The first minister says she takes some responsibility for the record levels of staffing in the NHS.

  7. Colleges and university placespublished at 12:42 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth asks what steps the Scottish government is taking to ensure that school leavers gain a place at college or university or gain employment, training or an apprenticeship place.

    Ms Sturgeon says there will be an expansion of academic bridging programmes and says accelerating access to university is a priority.

  8. Farmers and fisheries raised at FMQspublished at 12:41 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    SNP MSP Colin Beattie raises concerns about farming payments, saying he wants to see the "seamless continuation of this".

    Laughter from the Conservative benches is criticised by the first minister, presumably emanating from Scotland's IT difficulties with CAP payments.

    Ms Sturgeon says there were no plans from the Conservatives on this.

    She recognises that many in the fishing community voted Leave

    The first minister says she has to understand the reasons for all the one million people who voted to leave the EU. 

  9. 'This is your home' message to immigrantspublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Labour MSP Anas Sarwar says neo-Nazi stickers have appeared in Glasgow and raises other hate crimes.

    He calls for a unified message to immigrants to Scotland that this is your home.

    The first minister says: "Absolutely, I could not agree more with Anas Sarwar."

    "This is your home and we're proud to have you hear."

  10. Sturgeon says legislative consent to take Scotland out of the EU will be requiredpublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Ms Sturgeon says she thinks it is inconceivable that the Scottish Parliament will not have to give legislative consent to the many issues that arise. 

    The first minister says she cannot perceive giving legislative consent to taking Scotland out of the EU against its will.

    Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says Scotland does not have the power for this, but the first minister again says legislative consent to take Scotland out of the EU will be required.

  11. Postpublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

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  12. Background: How could Scotland stay in the EU?published at 12:34 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to do all she can to ensure Scotland remains in the EU despite the UK as a whole voting for Brexit in last week's referendum.

    Ms Sturgeon is to ask Holyrood to give the Scottish government a mandate to negotiate with the UK government, the EU institutions and individual member states to try and secure Scotland's relationship with the EU and its place in the single market.

    UK, Saltire and EU flags

    She has also raised the possibility of a second independence referendum, which could see Scotland potentially split with the rest of the UK in a bid to continue its membership of the EU.

    Here Dr Cormac Mac Amhlaigh, a lecturer in public law at Edinburgh University and an expert in EU constitutional law, looks at how events could in theory unfold.  

  13. Rennie calls on government to use income tax powerspublished at 12:33 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Mr Rennie calls for the Scottish government to use the income tax powers it has.

    The first minister says time will be taken to look at all elements of the budgetary process, nothing is on or off the table.

  14. Criticism of Ruth Davidson and the Toriespublished at 12:32 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Willie Rennie

    Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says he opposes independence but supports the Scottish government's efforts on the EU.

    Mr Rennie asks about programmes like Erasmus and the EU arrest warrant and could this be a basis for negotiation.

    Ms Sturgeon agrees with Mr Rennie's criticism of Ruth Davidson and the Conservatives saying they should show humility.

    The first minister agrees the programmes he has cited are important and being looked at.

  15. Postpublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    A bit of concern on Twitter over MSPs not learning their lines.

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  16. Analysis: Brian Taylorpublished at 12:28 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Brian Taylor
    BBC Scotland Political Editor

    Nicola Sturgeon in BrusselsImage source, AFP

    Is Nicola Sturgeon's initiative entirely thwarted before it begins? By no means.

    Yes, the Spanish statement is a challenge - and it is possible to argue that President Juncker may have to pay heed to a member state which intends to stay in the EU rather than a part of a member state which is on the verge of leaving.

    But Ms Sturgeon's declared objective in these early talks was simply to highlight Scotland's case. To put Scotland's position on the table, to borrow a phrase she has used at home.

    Read Brian's blog in full

  17. Sturgeon says independence is very much on the table but not her starting pointpublished at 12:28 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Mr Harvie asks what other options exist to protect Scotland's EU status or is the only option remaining in the EU or remaining in the UK.

    The first minister says it is too early to be definitive in answering that question.

    She says she was in Brussels to raise awareness of Scotland's case.

    Ms Sturgeon repeats all of the options are on the table.

    She says independence is very much on the table but says it is not her starting point.

  18. Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie on EU citizens living in Scotlandpublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Patrick Harvie

    Mr Harvie wants the UK government to introduce urgent emergency legislation to give indefinite leave to remain to all EU citizens already living in this country.

    The first minister says she abhors the way the referendum has made people, who have come to Scotland to make it their home, feel.

    Ms Sturgeon says the UK government should make clear to all EU citizens here that Brexit will not affect their ability to live here.

    The first minister insists "Scotland is open inclusive and welcoming".

  19. Postpublished at 12:26 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Some praise for the cooperation on show this afternoon.

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  20. Scottish Child Abuse inquiry a matter of the utmost importance to the governmentpublished at 12:21 British Summer Time 30 June 2016

    Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray says the Scottish Child Abuse inquiry is hanging by a thread and asks what the first minister is doing to fix this.

    Ms Sturgeon says: "This is a matter of the utmost importance to the government."