Scotland's schools have recorded their worst ever performance in an international survey of pupils.

Scotland's scores for maths, reading and science all declined in the latest set of Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) figures.

It was the first time since the tests began in 2000 that all three subject areas were classed as "average", with none "above average".

Image source, getty

Education Secretary John Swinney said the results made uncomfortable reading.

He said they showed that "radical reform" was needed if Scotland's education system was to become world-class again.

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Mr Scott raises the issue of the Pisa report on Scottish education and how a single board would address the issue.

The minister says that the review did not cover this area but says a single board will give a greater focus and decrease circulation.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks if the chairman of HIE is allowed to speak out on the review.

Mr Scott says Professor Lorne Crera says he told MSPs last night that he is not allowed to speak out.

Mr Brown says he cannot comment on private conversations.

Mr Scott calls for a specific list of the organisations and the individuals who backed a single statutory board in the consultation.

The minister says all the submissions have been published and he says he will examine the minutes of the ministerial review group.

When pressed by the Lib Dem MSP Mr Brown says he has already answered the question twice.

Mr Scott asks if the government has ruled out a minister heading the board.

The minister says the governance of the board is being looked at.

Mr Scott says he takes that to mean that it has not been ruled out. 

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SNP MSP Richard Lochhead asks how regional policy is being delivered.

He asks for the difference between the city and regional policy and how areas in between won't fall through the cracks.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown says the city deals don't fit structurally into the deals already in place but they involve more than cities.

Mr Brown says he sees Mr Lochhead's point about these deals fitting with the regional ones.

The economy secretary says the government are looking at terms of regionalisation. 

Conservative MSP Liz Smith says the real concern is about what evidence there is that the new board will work better, when those involved are raising pretty serious concerns that it will work better.

The minister says the review took evidence from those using HIE and SDS which led to the picture that there was levels of duplication and there was not enough joint working.

Conservative MSP Liz Smith says the Royal Society of Edinburgh who have raised issues around phase 2 of the review will be implemented without enough parliamentary debate.

The Royal Society says there is not a strong evidence base for the new statutory board, says Ms Smith.

Mr Brown says there has been involvement of stakeholders and the review group.

He says the pace of this has been underlined by the new environment defined by Brexit,.

The cabinet secretary says the Royal Society has been quite supportive of some of the proposals and he says the review is not finished yet.

Image source, SFC

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC), external says it invests around £1.5 billion of public money each year to enable Scotland’s colleges and universities to provide opportunities in research, education and innovation.

Image source, SDS

Skills Development Scotland (SDS), external monitor services and partnership activity to make sure it meets the needs of customers and contributes to economic growth ambitions for Scotland.

Ms Lamont asks if the Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland can speak publicly about the review.

The Labour MSP asks if the overarching board has been decided upon.

Mr Brown says the government has decided on an overarching board.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont asks why the review only lasted a month in the summer holidays.

Mr Brown says the review lasted longer than that and says she is thinking of the consultation.

The cabinet secretary says review was prompted by a desire to improve economic performance.

Image source, bbc

He says the review is still ongoing.

Ms Lamont asks why the consultation was only a month over the summer and asks if anyone wanted an overarching board in the consultation.

Mr Brown says there were people in the review group that backed the move.

Image source, bbc

Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Secretary Keith Brown says the idea of regionalisation has been taken on board by Cosla.

Mr Brown says this might improve collaboration.

He says there will also be decluttering which will streamline. 

Scotland spends a lot more per head of population on economic development than the rest of the UK. But is it getting value for that money? Is it really helping drive growth?

The lack of data on that seems to have been one of the driving forces behind the review of enterprise agencies.

Image source, Thinkstock

But even some of those close to the heart of the review process have been puzzled as to what the minister, Keith Brown, has been trying to achieve.

His conclusion, published in October, was largely supportive of what the agencies have been doing.

Read more analysis here. 

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.

Image source, Thinkstock

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

The Scottish government carried out a review of enterprise and skills support earlier this year.

It examined the roles, responsibilities and relationships of HIE and Scottish Enterprise.

HIE supports businesses and promotes economic growth in the Northern Isles, Western Isles, Highlands, Moray and Argyll.

It began as the Highlands and Islands Development Board 50 years ago. HIE was established in 1990.

The CairnGorm Mountain ski resort and its funicular railway is among the assets it manages.

Mr Brown says the autonomy of universities will be maintained.

The economy, jobs and fair work secretary says the government recognises the autonomy of universities.

Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Secretary Keith Brown says the first minister announced the Enterprise and Skills Review earlier this year.

Mr Brown says Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) already do good work.

The minister says the primary purpose of the review is to improve the support on offer and the economic outcomes.

Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

Concerns have been raised about the centralisation of funding for Scottish universities, BBC Scotland has learned.

Critics have warned that the abolition of the Scottish Funding Council could pose a threat to academic independence.

Image source, Thinkstock

The concern follows a decision two weeks ago to put the Scottish government's economic agencies under a single national board.

It has since become clear that the four boards of directors running the agencies face abolition.

Enterprise Minister Keith Brown ordered the review of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland as well as the Scottish Funding Council.

He concluded that a national board should be created to oversee the different agencies and ensure their work was "aligned".

The focus of the evidence session is the Enterprise and Skills Review (“the review”); specifically exploring the implications of the review for the future functioning of Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). 

The Committee agreed to hold this session following its evidence session with the SFC on 16th November. 

First up, after the committee moves out of private session, it will take evidence on the Enterprise and Skills Review from Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Secretary Keith Brown.

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Wednesday 7 December 2016. 

First up today we will bring you live coverage of the Education and Skills Committee as it takes evidence on the Enterprise and Skills review from Economy Secretary Keith Brown.

In the chamber this afternoon we begin with portfolio questions and it's the turn of communities, social security and equalities ministers to take the hot seats. 

This will be followed by a debate led by the Scottish government on sea fisheries and end year negotiations. 

After decision time, SNP MSP George Adam will lead a debate on Paisley's bid to become City of Culture 2021.