First minister's questions and named persons scheme update

Summary

MSPs took evidence on Scotland's new social security system
MSPs quizzed ministers during general questions
Opposition party leaders quizzed Nicola Sturgeon during first minister's questions
Education Secretary John Swinney gave MSPs an update on the Named Persons Scheme
The Scottish government then led a debate entitled Scotland Welcomes 1,000 Refugees

Live Reporting

Craig Hutchison and Colin Bell

Background: Written submission from COSLApublished at 09:35 British Summer Time 8 September 2016
COSLA’s, external purpose is to be the national voice for local government in Scotland and our high priority work areas reflect our commitment to promote the position of local government as the legitimate tier of governance closest to the people of Scotland.
Priority areas:
1. Devolved social security and links to existing nationally/locally delivered services
2. Financial Implications of policy decisions taken in Scotland
3. Continued impacts of UK welfare changes and the cumulative effect
4. Universal Credit roll out and associated flexibilities
5. Impacts of continuing UK benefit changes for Scottish housing
Read the full submission here., external
Long term integration of social security needs to be discussedpublished at 09:34 British Summer Time 8 September 2016
Nicola Dickie from COSLA says the long term integration of social security needs to be looked at.
Ms Dickie says there is very little time to discuss how this fits into the fabric of Scotland and COSLA would be interested in discussing this.
The Social Security Committee beginspublished at 09:33 British Summer Time 8 September 2016
Social Security Committee convener Sandra White introduces the witnesses.
Background: Social Security Billpublished at 09:26 British Summer Time 8 September 2016
The bill will take forward the government's priorities for the social security powers that are to be devolved, ahead of the establishment of a new Social Security Agency.
Image source, Getty images
Image caption,
Scotland will have a new social security system
Ministers say evidence gathered from a wide-ranging consultation on social security, external will inform the final content of the bill, which will set out an over-arching legislative framework for a new Scottish social security system.
The government wants to increase Carer's Allowance to the level of Jobseeker's Allowance, and replace Sure Start Maternity Grants with a new maternity and early years allowance called the Best Start Grant.
Social Security Committee begins shortlypublished at 09:15 British Summer Time 8 September 2016
The Social Security Committee will meet to consider its work programme priorities.
MSPs will quiz:
- Simon Hodgson from Carers Scotland
- John Dickie from Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland (CPAG)
- Rob Gowans from Citizens Advice Scotland
- Nicola Dickie from COSLA
- Kayleigh Thorpe from Enable Scotland
- Alys Mumford from Engender.
MSPs will then consider the petition by John Beattie on food bank funding, external.
Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on 8 September 2016published at 18:26 British Summer Time 7 September 2016
Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live's extensive coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 8 September 2016.
Image source, Scottish Parliment/PA
Image caption,
Nicolas Sturgeon will face questions from Ruth Davidson and Kezia Dugdale.
The main focus of today will be on first minister's questions, giving opposition party leaders their first chance since before the summer to try and put the heat on Nicola Sturgeon.
Education Secretary John Swinney will then update the parliament on the named person scheme.