Last month Nicola Sturgeon published an analysis of possible Brexit consequences, saying the Scottish economy could lose between £1.7bn and £11.2bn a year by 2030.

Ms Sturgeon said this could have a severe impact on public spending.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson urged the Scottish government to focus on stabilising the country in the wake of the Brexit vote.

She said it needed to focus on stability and "get back to the day job".

A spokesman for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described Ms Davidson's comments as the "height of hypocrisy".

And he blamed the Conservatives for Brexit and the "huge economic damage" it could cause Scotland.

Image source, GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT

The UK as a whole voted to leave the European Union, but a majority (62%) of people living in Scotland voted to remain.

Ms Sturgeon said a second independence referendum was "highly likely" following the poll, but has promised to explore other options to safeguard Scotland's status in Europe.

Government analysis

Analysis published by the Scottish government suggested that by 2030, Scottish GDP was projected to be between £1.7bn and £11.2bn per year lower than it would have been if Brexit does not occur.

Tax revenue was projected to be between £1.7bn and £3.7bn lower.

Conservative MSP Liam Kerr says the Scottish government has lacked optimism.

Mr Kerr says the Scotch Whisky industry has highlighted opportunities since the vote, the tourism industry is doing better and the Scottish fishing industry also welcomes the forthcoming Brexit. 

He says the UKs vote to leave the EU presents huge opportunities to the fishing industry.

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine says membership of the single market is key. 

Ms McAlpine says a lot of Conservatives have tried to distinguish between access and membership to the single market but it is a misleading distinction because it is "not a pick and mix affair".

The SNP MSP says we do not know what share of CAP payments that the UK will get. 

She says the feeling coming from the UK government is that we are headed for a difficult Brexit. 

Here are the key asks from Economy Secretary Keith Brown to the Treasury:

• increase capital spending - an increase in UK infrastructure spend of £5 billion could provide an additional £400 million spend in Scotland, supporting around 3,000 jobs;
• increased support for Exporters. The depreciation of Sterling provides an opportunity for companies to either move into new export markets, or start exporting for the first time.  The UK should be investing more to support that.

Brian Taylor
BBC Scotland Political Editor

Image source, PA

The word of the day was "challenging". Nicola Sturgeon used it, repeatedly, when discussing the state of Scotland's economy, as partially disclosed by the publication of the annual exercise known as Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS.)

I say annual. Actually, the last version emerged in March this year. Are we now to be subject to biannual visitations?

Apparently not. The Scottish government has simply chosen to accelerate publication of the latest batch of stats in order to make their information more "timely." That is "timely" in its modern meaning of "during the Festival when folk are still striving to make summer last".

But Ms Sturgeon was not the only one to feel challenged. The Scottish Secretary, David Mundell, also detected an incipient onslaught. In his case, the focus was upon Brexit. He reckoned that was enough of a challenge in itself, without the prospect of indyref2.

Read more of Brian's analysis here.

Image source, Getty Images

The gremlins have been banished and we can return to the Brexit debate.

We apologise for the loss of video stream.

The economy Brexit debate can be viewed here at the Scottish Parliament., external

The Scottish government has called on the UK Treasury to increase capital spending to help boost growth in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said the Treasury should emulate the £100m capital spending pledge announced by the first minister last month.

Image source, PA

The Scottish Conservatives said leaving the EU could open up opportunities in areas such as fishing and farming.

And they urged the SNP to focus on making Brexit a success for Scotland.

Mr Brown said an increase in UK infrastructure spending of £5bn could provide an extra £400m spend in Scotland, supporting about 3,000 jobs.

Mr Swinney says he understands entirely the frustration of the young people and he finds it wholly and entirely unacceptable.

The education secretary says placements rely on  universities providing good information and schools for finding placements.

Image source, Thinkstock

He says it is not good enough for the 128 people who are affected by this problem.

Mr Swinney says the system is entirely dependent on universities and schools, but the GTC are looking to resolve the issue. 

Today the Herald reported:, external

MORE than one hundred Scottish trainee teachers have been left without vital school placements in the week they were supposed to begin.

New figures show some 110 classroom placements for September have still to be filled, with the majority involving students at Strathclyde University, in Glasgow.

The two to four week primary and secondary placements are seen as crucial because they represent the first time trainee teachers experience a school environment and get to know staff and pupils.

Education Secretary John Swinney says earlier today 100 Strathclyde University students had yet to have their places confirmed.

Mr Swinney says he expects all schools to provide placements for students.

He says everything is being done by to find an early solution to the problem.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon asks the Scottish government whether it will provide an update on the teaching practice placements for teacher training students at the University of Strathclyde, which were due to have started on 19 September.    

Mr Douglas Yates, Interfaith Co-ordinator Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from Interfaith Scotland, will now deliver time for reflection.

Just one topical question this afteroon, on a call for an update on the teaching practice placements for teacher training students at the University of Strathclyde.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown will lead a debate on the Scottish government's Brexit stimulus package from around 2.15pm. 

Image source, Andrew Cowan/ BBC

MSPs will then debate national 'Eye Health Week'.

Image source, Thinkstock

The Scottish Conservatives will lead a debate tomorrow afternoon entitled 'NHS Staffing Crisis'.

Watch extensive coverage here.

Committee convener Neil Findlay thanks the witnesses and moves the meeting into private session. 

Elaine Thomson from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society says 50% of medication is not taken as it was intended to be prescribed.

Ms Thomson says: "We need to start talking to people about what they want for their health."