Image source, bbc

The first minister has apologised to rail passengers in parts of Scotland after a broken-down train in Edinburgh caused severe disruption.

Nicola Sturgeon said the "deeply regrettable" problem was caused by "an extraordinary set of circumstances".

The early-morning breakdown between Waverley station and Haymarket affected services across the central belt.

It also caused delays to trains travelling to Inverness, Aberdeen and on the Borders Railway.

Image source, Thinkstock

The Scottish government has set out plans to reform Scotland's enterprise and skills agencies.

It has proposed setting up a new Scotland-wide statutory board to co-ordinate the activities of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The government said services already provided in the Highlands and Islands would be protected.

A new service has also been proposed for the south of Scotland.

The activities of Scottish Enterprise and HIE include the running of Scottish Development International, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council.

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says the role of the further education relationship with innovation centres should be reviewed further.

Mr Scott says the report states that the Scottish Funding Council and enterprise agencies have vital roles in supporting the innovation centres.

He asks for clarity from ministers on their proposals for a Scotland-wide board governing Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council.

The Scottish Lib Dem MSP asks how this will impact on innovation centres and, in particular, their ability to make long-term decisions.

Scottish Labour MSP Iain Gray says the government are right to invest in this area.

Mr Gray says blue sky research should be encouraged in academic institutions. 

The Labour MSP says Professor Reid called for a further review to be completed by June 2017 and says this should be reported to parliament and include progress made on innovation centre objectives.

He says there is no evidence of 5,000 jobs being created and any further review should include this and the leverage of private sector funding into centre projects. 

Scottish Conservative MSP Dean Lockhart calls on the Scottish government to introduce clearer industry-defined success measures in order to assess the overall performance of innovation centres.

He also calls for further action to boost productivity levels in the Scottish economy through innovation.

The Tory MSP is concerned about the latest available productivity figures, which show that Scotland currently ranks in the third quartile of OECD countries for productivity, despite the Scottish government’s target for Scotland to rank in the top quartile by 2017.

Further Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville says some of the collaborations are helping with health and well-being in Scotland.

Ms Somerville says a great deal has been achieved and it is right, at the half-way point, that the programme be reviewed.

She says the programme is having a positive impact on Scotland's economy.

The further education minister says the government is happy to accept the recommendation for more innovation centres if resources are available.

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Further Education Minister Shirley Anne Somerville highlights the contribution that Scotland’s Innovation Centre Programme can make as a driver of innovation on some key sectors of the economt,

The minister welcomes the publication of the independent review of Scotland’s Innovation Centre Programme, external by Professor Graeme Reid.

She says she recognises that the review’s recommendations set out a helpful course for the Scottish government to consider during the next stage of the programme.

Further Eucation Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville says the current approach brings all stakeholders together to collaborate.

Ms Somerville says our higher education sector was the right place to develop the innovation centre.

She says the progress being made both in Scotland and internationally should be recognised.

Here is Further Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville's motion. 

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks if evidence that has come before this government and previous ones about child abuse could be laid before the inquiry

Mr Swinney says the inquiry will take the evidence that it takes and it will be for the inquiry to decide the relevance of the evidence.

Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie asks if any assessment has been made of the numbers likely to come forward.

Mr Swinney says it is estimated to be between 400 and 4000 with 2200 being the most likely figure. 

He says the we'll only know the true figure when we see it. 

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie asks Mr Swinney will he consider interim payments so survivors do not have to wait any longer.

The deputy first minister says redress could have been held back until the inquiry has concluded, but he says he has not done that and says there is separate process.

Mr Swinney says he commits to engaging with survivors on the issue of redress.