SNP MSP Rona Mackay asks what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding Scotland's role in supporting refugees entering the UK.  

Conservative MSP Peter Chapman says "it has been a complete disaster for rural communities".

Mr Chapman asks the minister if he understands the frustration of farmers.

Mr Yousaf says "of course things could have been done better" and the government regret the problems faced. 

He says the government are working hard to resolve issues and Mr Chapman should help rather than carping from the sidelines. 

Image source, bbc

Transport and Islands Minister Humza Yousaf says 14,162 entitlement letters have been issued.

Mr Yousaf says officials are working hard to resolve any outstanding issues.

Mr Scott says Mr Yousaf's brief seems to be expanding by the day, he asks if the appeal mechanism is still open.

Mr Yousaf says "the government has learned lessons" and future payments should be made on time.

He says the appeals process will remain open.

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks how many eligible farmers and crofters have received a letter explaining their entitlements under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme. 

Image source, BBC/Scottish Parliament/Thinkstock

Our extensive budget coverage kicks off at 2pm with the finance secretary getting to his feet at 2.30pm

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Before the budget we will also bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions.

When you throw in general questions, the lunchtime member’s debate on the future of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site, an afternoon debate on food waste and the election of Scotland's Land Commissioners and the Tenant Farming Commissioner, it's going to be a busy day at Holyrood!

Social Security Committee convener Sandra White thanks the witnesses and moves the committee into private session.

Scottish Labour MSP Pauline McNeill asks why the practice of keeping Universal Credit claims live for six months has been discontinued.

Neil Couling from the DWP says it has not been discontinued it has been changed. He says it is now a better service because it stay live for up to 14 months.

Mr Couling says the DWP need to make people understand the process. 

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire says previous evidence on Universal Credit has suggested that it does not achieve its goal of simplifying the system.

Neil Couling from the DWP says he has read the evidence from the other witnesses who said universal credit has not lived up to its promises.

Mr Couilng says it is more complicated than JSA and housing benefit and others because there is more in it.

He says if you add all those benefits together and then look at Universal Credit the legislation has been simplified.

He says there is still work to do but the problems will be ironed out. 

Ms Maguire says local authorities feel that the learning is not being shared.

Mr Couling says he believes it is but it may not have filtered to everyone yet. 

He says he needs to design a way of getting information to councils quicker.

"We are listening and the speed of the response is as quick as I can but it cannot be immediate," he says. 

Image source, bbc

BBC Scotland’s Business and Economy Editor Douglas Fraser will be taking your questions on the budget. Join him from 12.30pm on Friday on the BBC Scotland News Facebook page., external

Image source, BBC Scotland

SNP MSP Ben Macpherson says he respects the work frontline staff are doing in Jobcentres and that he recently went to Musselburgh Jobcentre and witnessed this.

The SNP MSP asks how staff are trained to help the claimants and also asks what training is involved in the discretion of this. 

Denise Horsfall, from DWP, says workers go through training with work coaches which involves how to interact and work with individuals to identify what their personal solutions are.

Ms Horsfall says in the past the DWP were advising people and not really treating the claimants as individuals.

She says the responsibilities of the Jobcentre work coaches is being "decluttered" so that they can focus on the services being provided.