Question on the benefit cap for disabled peoplepublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
SNP MSP James Dornan asks what impact the reduction in the benefit cap will have on disabled people and households in Scotland.
Summary
Economy Secretary Keith Brown gives evidence to the Education and Skills Committee on plans for Scotland’s enterprise and skills agencies
Communities, social security and equalities ministers are in the hot seats for portfolio questions
The Scottish government will lead a debate on sea fisheries and the end of year negotiations
SNP MSP George Adam leads this evening's members' debate on Paisley for City of Culture 2021
Question on the benefit cap for disabled peoplepublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Background: Independent review of Scottish Parliament systemspublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
A review of the functions of the Scottish Parliament is being carried out by an independent commission.
Image source, PAThe Commission on Parliamentary Reform will study the role of Holyrood in scrutinising legislation, the committee system and parliament's independence from the Scottish government.
The study is being led by the outgoing Electoral Commissioner John McCormick.
Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said the parliament's systems "are not broken but are in need of an MOT".
Government committed to reform of planningpublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Image source, bbcImage caption, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says, since the report has been published, the government have undertaken work for reform ahead of a planning bill.
Question on the Independent Review of the Scottish Planning Systempublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Scottish Conservative MSP Alison Harris asks whether the government will provide an update on what action it is taking in response to the findings of the Independent Review of the Scottish Planning System.
Scottish government disappointed chancellor didn't reverse his decision to cut ESApublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Image caption, Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman
Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says the Scottish government is disappointed the chancellor did not reverse his decision to cut employment and support allowance in the Autumn Statement.
Ms Freeman says, unfortunately, the employment and support allowance remains reserved.
Question on employment and support allowancepublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
SNP MSP Ben Macpherson asks how many people in Scotland the government estimates would be impacted by the UK Government reducing employment and support allowance to claimants placed in the work-related activity group.
Money raised by local authorities is kept in their communities - ministerpublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Image source, bbcImage caption, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says all the money raised by local authorities is kept in their communities unless they choose to spend it elsewhere.
Mr Carson asks if the government intend to centralise any further local government spending.
The minister says all the money raised by local authorities will be kept in their communities and Mr Carson should have listened to the first answer before asking a supplementary that is "wide of the mark."
Background: Councils blame Scottish government for 7,000 job lossespublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Image source, PAImage caption, Cosla says services are being put at risk
Scottish councils have claimed that 7,000 jobs have gone in local authorities over the past year.
The local government body Cosla has blamed the job losses on a reduction in funding from the Scottish government.
It has warned of similar cuts in the coming year if the government reduces the value of the support it gives to councils.
The Scottish government has said it believes councils have been treated "very fairly".
Question on whether the money raised by local authorities should be kept in their areaspublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Scottish Conservative MSP Finlay Carson asks what the government's position is on whether the money raised by local authorities should be kept in their areas.
The work has to progress at pace but must be done properlypublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Social Security Secretary Angela Constance says the government will consult on a new target next year.
Ms Constance says the government remain comitted to eradicating fuel poverty.
Image source, bbcImage caption, Social Security Secretary Angela Constance
Ms Baillie presses for a date when the target will be brought forward.
The minister says while the latest statistics show a welcome decrease in fuel poverty, too many homes remain fuel poor.
She says the work has to progress at pace but must be done properly.
Background: Scottish Labour calls for new fuel poverty targetpublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Scottish Labour has called for an "ambitious" new goal to eliminate fuel poverty.
The party claimed the Scottish government had failed to meet its own target on the issue.
Image source, Getty ImagesRecent figures indicated 35% of households were in fuel poverty - defined as those who spend more than 10% of their income on heating costs.
The Scottish government said £1bn was being spent on tackling the problem and on improving energy efficiency.
It promised to look at any "constructive" proposals put forward by opposition parties.
Question on eradicating fuel povertypublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Scottish Labour MSP Jackie Baillie asks when the government will set a new target to eradicate fuel poverty.
Minister has asked officials to look into the Bellgrove Hotelpublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Image source, bbcImage caption, SNP MSP John Mason
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says homelessness services is the responsibility of local government and Bellgrove Hotel comes under Glasgow City Council.
Mr Stewart says he has taken an interest in the Bellgrove Hotel and has asked officials to consult on it.
Image source, bbcImage caption, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart
Mr Mason says the BBC did a documentary on the hotel in the year 2000 and nothing has been done.
He asks if the care inspectorate could take a bigger role.
The minister says he will consider the care inspectorate taking a bigger role and he will continue to monitor it.
Question on the Bellgrove Hotelpublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
SNP MSP John Mason asks what recent discussions the government has had with Glasgow City Council regarding the hostel for homeless men, the Bellgrove Hotel.
Scotland's social security will be based on real life experience says ministerpublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Image source, bbcImage caption, Social Security Minister Jeanne Freeman
Social Security Minister Jeanne Freeman says the government has carried out an extensive consultation exercise on social security.
Ms Freeman says the consultation responses will be published in the New Year.
Mr Lyle expresses concerns about the descriptor for mobility.
The social security minister says the social security system will be based on real life experience.
Ms Freeman says in January there will be a recruitment exercise with 2,000 volunteers who have had one or more of the 11 benefits being devolved to Scotland.
Question on personal independence payment descriptorspublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
SNP MSP Richard Lyle asks what consideration the government has given to amending the descriptors for the activity, moving around, which are used to assess personal independence payments.
Labour MSP calls for inspection regime to ensure standards of Gypsy/Traveller sitespublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Ms Fee says minimum standards are still not being enforced at Gypsy/Traveller sites.
The Labour MSP says the current enforcement strategy is failing and she calls for an inspection programme.
Ms Constance says the government is considering linking the guidance with the Scottish Social Housing Charter.
The equalities secretary says the government takes the standard of Gypsy/Traveller sites seriously.
Question on Gypsy/Traveller sitespublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Scottish Labour MSP Mary Fee asks when the government last received an update from Cosla or the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers regarding the enforcement of minimum standards for Gypsy/Traveller sites.
Minister says all council tax collected by a local authority will remain in the local authoritypublished at 14:13 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Mr Mountain says two weeks ago it was reported Cosla had withdrawn from negotiations on council tax raises and the money being spend on the attainment fund.
Ms Constance says Derek Mackay met with Cosla this week to discuss the financial settlement.
She says all council tax collected by a local authority will remain in the local authority.
Question on last meeting with Coslapublished at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2016
Scottish Conservative MSP Edward Mountain asks the Scottish Government when it last met Cosla.