The Public Audit committee takes evidence on higher education and then the National Fraud Initiative
ScotRail, skills funding and local government are all discussed during general questions
Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed by opposition MSPs during first minister's questions
The Scottish government announces it is to introduce a bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12
The Scottish government will then lead a debate recognising 16 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls
SNP MSP Gillian Martin
SNP MSP Gillian Martin says the first steps into business are possibly the most important.
Ms Martin says small businesses power the Scottish economy and she calls on people to support them during their festive shopping.
Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson says small businesses are "fun".
Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson
Mr Johnson says supporting small businesses is something that should be done more often than once a year.
He says small businesses are an "engine of innovation."
The Labour MSP says they are a great place for employees, "working for a small business is like working for a family," he says.
Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr says it is small businesses that keep our high streets what they are.
Mr Kerr says these are difficult times for small businesses with big stores, online, and Black Friday type deals.
Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr
The Tory MSP says shopping malls now offer "an experience" with cinemas, and the like, which is also a challenge.
He says he wishes all small businesses a successful day and he hopes people will support it, not just on Saturday but all year.
SNP MSP Ivan McKee says the number of small businesses in Scotland have been increasing in recent years.
SNP MSP Ivan McKee
Mr McKee says people start businesses for all sorts of reasons, it may be a parent returning to work or a retiree looking to offer their skills.
The SNP MSP says we need to be mindful of the diverse range of people looking to start businesses.
He says not every business whats to grow to be world renowned and some are happy to stay as they are.
Scottish Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says Small Business Saturday is a grassroots campaign.
Ms Baillie says it has to be acknowledged that it is difficult for small businesses with more people shopping in out of town stores and online.
She says the affects of this can be seen on the high street.
Ms Baillie says we need to decide to shop locally to help our town centres.
"Small business do make a big difference," she says.
Scottish Conservative MSP Rachel Hamilton
Scottish Conservative MSP Rachel Hamilton says, often the term "small" can lead to an inferiority complex, "particularly in men."
Ms Hamilton says this shouldn't be the case for small businesses.
The Tory MSP says they can bridge the gap between education and work by offering work experience to local school pupils.
Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone says there are a number of small stores right on our doorsteps but many people shun them in favour of bigger stores.
Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone
Ms Johnston says, by using smaller stores, people help the local economy and don't just boost a big company's bank account.
Ms Denham says her dad ran a video store in the 1980s.
Image source, Alamy"We need a bigger boat", Ash Denham recalls watching Jaws when her father ran a small video shop
She says one end of the shop was for video and the other was Betamax.
Ms Denham says she helped out at the store and this led to her fear of sharks because she watched Jaws well before she should have.
Image source, bbcSmall Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday UK, external is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.
The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. In 2016 Small Business Saturday will take place on Saturday, December 3rd.
Ms Denham uses her motion to highlight the following:
SNP MSP Ash Denham
SNP MSP Ash Denham says this Saturday is Small Business Saturday.
Ms Denham says this encourages consumers to support local businesses.
The SNP MSP says participating in small Business Saturday is free to all small businesses.
She says the event originated in the US.
Image source, Scottish Parliament
Image source, bbcSNP MSP Ash Denham will now lead a member's debate celebrating Small Business Saturday
This afternoon's member's debate is led by SNP MSP Ash Denham and calls on MSPs to celebrate Small Business Saturday.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and President of Ireland Michael D Higgins
Nicola Sturgeon has told the Irish Parliament that the response to the Brexit vote will define both Scotland and Ireland for generations to come.
Scotland's first minister became the first serving head of a foreign government to address the Senate.
She said that the "unprecedented times" needed "imagination, open minds and fresh thinking".
And she said Scottish independence remained "firmly on the table" - but acknowledged it would not be easy.
Image source, bbcMs Sturgeon says the purpose of the visit was to build on strong links between Scotland and Ireland.
The first minister says most of the people she spoke to in Ireland were horrified about the direction the UK government is taking.
She says it is important that the message that Scotland is open and internationalist and wants to work with other independent countries is taken to the EU and the rest of the world.
The first minister says Brexit featured in every single discussion she had and she says the Irish government is not negotiating with anyone before Article 50 is triggered.
SNP MSP Emma Harper asks whether the first minister will provide an update following her visit to Dublin.
Budget cuts, Brexit and growing patient demand are all leading to a "perfect storm" for nursing staff in Scotland, a report published in October warned.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said the Scottish government needed to take action now to avert a staffing crisis.
Image source, ThinkstockThey said rising demand and insufficient nursing staff were putting patient care at risk.
The Scottish government said the number of nurses and midwives had risen by 5.2% since 2006.
According to the RCN, a "boom and bust" approach to staffing had led to many health boards cutting nursing staff to balance their books, then later scrambling to recruit as demand increased.
They said despite the vacancy rate for nurses rising to 4.2% in June, the number of available staff only went up by 1% in 2015.
The first minister says staffing in the NHS has increased to historically high levels.
Ms Sturgeon says a workforce plan for the NHS is being produced.
Mr Sarwar says after 10 years nine out of 10 nurses say their workload is getting worse.
Image source, bbcHe says there has been a workforce plan failure.
The first minister says since the government took office there are 11,000 more staff in the NHS than there were then.
Ms Sturgeon says there is a rising demand on the NHS and that is why the service must be reformed.
She accepts there is a lot of work still to be done but she says the NHS is performing well.
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