The Justice Committee looked into the role of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson announces move to pardon men who were convicted of same-sex offences before laws against homosexuality were scrapped, during topical questions
The Scottish government led a debate entitled ‘Building a Fairer Scotland – It takes all of us’
The member’s debate focused on the volunteers who keep our train stations clean and lovely, by adopting a station
Ms Johnstone says effective measures to raise awareness of benefit entitlement already exist.
The Green MSP says this helps to reduce poverty.
She says her party are seeking to amend the motion to recognise the measures and programmes that are already in place.
Ms Johnstone says her party will support the government motion and the Scottish Labour amendment but not the Scottish Conservative one.
Image source, PAGreen MSP says the benefits sanctions regime
Ms Johnstone says: "Two decades of welfare reform has warped social security."
It has created a system of "bullying people into low paid employment," she says.
The Green MSP says the benefits sanctions regime must end and there should be a universal basic citizen's income.
Ms Johnstone says the task of building a fairer Scotland must include a more progressive system of taxation for both income and wealth.
The Scottish Green MSP calls for the reform of council tax.
Here's Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone's amendment.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentAlex Rowley says "actions speak louder than words" and action is needed to regenerate the economy.
Mr Rowley says it will take strong political leadership and a willingness to be bold.
The Labour equalities spokesperson says procurement must be used as a tool and there must be a commitment to end zero-hours contracts.
He says joined up government and a willingness to build partnerships the length and breadth of the country is essential.
Image source, bbcabour MSP says the Scottish government's failure to reform council tax is costing thousands of jobs
Mr Rowley says: "Austerity is a key driver of economic failure and inequality."
He calls on the Tories to oppose any further welfare reform or austerity.
The Labour MSP says the Scottish government's failure to reform council tax is costing thousands of jobs.
He says if local public services are hit by SNP budget cuts then inequality will grow in Scotland.
Scottish Labour equalities spokesperson Alex Rowley says his party supports the general proposals of the action plan.
Scottish Labour equalities spokesperson Alex Rowley
Mr Rowley says the 50-point action plan will not alone be able to eradicate poverty but will go some way to helping with the issue.
The Labour MSP says the Scottish Tories are in complete denial about their role in the increase in poverty.
Here's Scottish Labour equalities spokesperson Alex Rowley's amendment.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentMr Tomkins calls for the repeal of the "hated" named persons legislation.
He says the governmnt should reverse the 20% cut in drug and alcohol funding.
The Tory MSP must, more than anything else, address the slow growth rate.
He calls on them to stop sabre rattling about a second independence referendum.
Mr Tomkins raises the issue of anti-Semitism and says a fairer Scotland would be one that takes racial and religious prejudice more seriously and gives these matters a higher profile than is the case in the Scottish government's action plan.
Social Security Minister Jeanne Freeman intervenes to say that "any fog of uncertainty that exists is caused by Brexit".
Mr Tomkins says that idea is "frankly for the birds" and again points to the uncertainty around a second independence referendum.
Mr Tomkins says a fairer Scotland will not be achieved without addressing Scotland's poor employment growth rate, poor employment rate and high inactivity rate.
The Conservative MSP says there are now more than 31.8m people in work across the UK, more than ever and more disabled people are in work.
Angela Constance intervenes to say women's employment in Scotland is consistently in the top 5 in Europe and the pay gap is lower in Scotland than the rest of the UK.
Mr Tomkins says he recognises this, but adds "the employment growth rate is woefully poor".
This may be due to the "fog of uncertainty on the SNP endlessly campaigning for separation".
Mr Tomkins says the Scottish Conservatives support the government motion and agree with it on much.
The Tory MSP says: "The government will not achieve a fairer Scotland unless it is willing to take on challenges it has thus far shied away from."
Here's Scottish Conservative equalities spokesman Adam Tomkins' amendment.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentMs Constance welcomes the planned introduction of a socio-economic duty on public bodies in Scotland to place poverty and disadvantage at the heart of decision-making in local communities across Scotland.
The minister says the government will introduce a £29m innovation fund.
She calls on everyone in Scotland to help create a fairer country.
Image source, PAThe first minister confirmed a plan to improve Scottish education before schools break for the summer, a review of the economic development and skills agencies and that within a year every child born in Scotland will receive a baby box of essential items.
Ms Sturgeon said she believed her aim of a "wealthier, fairer and more equal Scotland" was shared across the chamber and promised to work with other parties to achieve that aim.
Ms Constance says the UK government, in scrapping income targets, has tried to sweep child poverty under the carpet.
She says she is disgusted with their approach to poverty and says an anti-poverty strategy must address income.
This Fairer Scotland Action Plan is a first government response to the Fairer Scotland conversation and a range of wider sources.
It outlines 50 actions to help tackle poverty, reduce inequality and build a fairer and more inclusive Scotland.
Image source, Getty imagesThe action plan aims to end child poverty
It is built on five high-level ambitions that we will focus on in the period to 2030:
Ms Constance highlights the Child Poverty Bill that will be brought forward in this parliamentary year.
She also highlights the Scottish government’s ambition to legislate to eradicate child poverty, underpinned by statutory income targets and a robust delivery plan.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe new bill aims to significantly reduce the number of children living in poverty by 2030
The Scottish government has outlined its vision to end child poverty in the country.
A consultation document reveals key targets to reduce deprivation significantly by 2030.
According to the Scottish government the Child Poverty Bill's objectives are more ambitious than the ones scrapped by the UK government in January.