Scotland could attempt to become a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) when the UK leaves the EU, BBC Scotland has learned.

Image source, Reuters

The so-called Norway model has been privately floated as a possibility as the Scottish government seeks ways to maintain Scotland's links with the EU.

BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor said the plan could give EU citizens the right to work in Scotland.

But it could only happen if the UK and European institutions agreed.

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser says members of the EEA would have no influence over decisions.

Mr Brown says just because the BBC says EEA membership is the Scottish government's position does not make it so.

He says today is an opportunity for the parliament to reaffirm its commitment to the single market.

Mr Brown says the UK market is bigger but many goods go on to the rest of the EU, in response to an intervention by Labour MSP Neil Findlay.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown says he welcomes the opportunity to work with MSPs across the chamber to keep Scotland in the single market.

Mr Brown says the UK government may pursue a hard-Brexit and he is looking for a unified position in the Scottish Parliament.

Here's Economy Secretary Keith Brown's motion.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, Thinkstock

Economy Secretary Keith Brown will now lead a government debate on the single market and trade, in the latest in a series of EU referendum debates.

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance says she welcomes the research.

Ms Constance details the Scottish government's pledges on early years and childcare.

The equalities secretary says closing the gender pay gap is crucial.

She says the pay gap in Scotland outperforms the rest of the UK and continues to fall.

Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

Image source, Thinkstock

Improved childcare has been identified as the single policy that could do most to reduce income inequality, in research at Heriot-Watt University.

That could be allied to closing the gap between women's and men's pay, and finding ways to help families remain together.

Raising the minimum wage and linking benefits to inflation is seen as effective.

A boost to the regions and nations of Britain would also have an impact.

This would, according to the research, spread prosperity more evenly around the UK.

However, the Edinburgh research found that increases in part-time pay, encouragement to take up unclaimed benefits, and efforts to increase housing supply had less effect on inequality.

The research helps explain ways to reduce the inequality gaps highlighted in a week-long series of reports for BBC Scotland news.  

SNP MSP John Mason asks the Scottish government what consideration it has given to research carried out by Heriot-Watt University regarding ways to reduce income and other inequalities.

Image source, MSP

Mr Simpson says COSLA does not even want to talk to the Scottish government about the education attainment fund.

Mr Stewart says much of the article in the Times lacks knowledge too.

Mr Stewart says local control by rather than on behalf of Scotland's communities is best.

The local government minister says this will energise local democracy.

Mr Simpson says the Times has called the review an assault on town halls.

He asks if the article was correct in any of its claims.

The minister says there are no town halls in Scotland and he says the Scottish government hugely values the work of local government. 

Conservative MSP Graham Simpson asks the Scottish government whether powers will be removed from councils by its local government review and, if so, which.

Ms Freeman says Mr Findlay should be ashamed of himself.

The minister calls on him to concentrate on what is required to bring in a new social security agency and that it takes time to get it right unlike the UK government.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says the minister has a "brass neck on today".

Mr Findlay says it now emerges that the government will deliver the 11 benefits in the next three years when the white paper suggested it would take 18 months. 

Ms Freeman says the legal commencement of powers is the first process and it is some distance away from using those powers.

She says it is unacceptable for anyone in the Social Security Committee to claim this is new.

The minister says legislative competence allows the draft bill to come to the parliament and the executive competence will allow the powers to be used.

Scottish Conservative MSP Adam Tomkins says confusion has been caused because the Scottish government are not sharing information with parliament.

Mr Tomkins asks the minister to explain "split competence".

Image source, bbc

The minister says the DWP's sanctions regime is callous.

Ms Freeman says: "We will not be bullied into false timescales."   

Labour MSP Mark Griffin asks why is there a delay in taking the powers from the DWP.

The social security minister says to call this delay is to completely misunderstand the process.

Ms Freeman says the last thing she wants is that a single one of the 1.4 million people fall through the gap because members in this chamber try to score political points.

Social Security Minister Jeanne Freeman says the Scottish government will not allow Scottish people to be used as a political football.

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie asks how the government will ensure that no-one falls between the gap during the transfer of powers.  

Ms Freeman says the government will make sure the parliament has the time it needs to scrutinise the legislation.

She says people wake up in a cloud of anxiety every day due to the UK welfare system and she says both Labour and the Tories have not helped this week.