Summary

  • Economy Secretary Keith Brown gives evidence on the draft Scottish budget 2017-18

  • MSPs pay tribute to the late Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone

  • In topical questions the issues of transvaginal mesh implants and Lands and Buildings Transaction Tax will be raised

  • First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gives a statement on Scotland’s place in Europe

  • The government lead a debate on improving the care experience for looked after children

  • Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale leads this evening's member’s debate entitled 'tackling mesothelioma in Scotland'

  1. Here's a picture of the all important documentpublished at 11:07 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

    Scotland's place in EuropeImage source, Nicola Sturgeon/twitter
  2. Postpublished at 11:06 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

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  3. Postpublished at 11:05 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

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  4. Postpublished at 11:05 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

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  5. And we're offpublished at 11:03 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

    Witnesses

    The Economy, Jobs and Fairwork Committee will now take evidence on the Scottish government's draft budget 2017-18, external from Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Secretary Keith Brown.

    The cabinet secretary is joined by Chris Stark, Mary McAllan and Hugh McAloon from the Scottish government

  6. Nicola Sturgeon sets out Scottish Brexit proposalspublished at 11:02 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, bbc

    Nicola Sturgeon is setting out her proposals for Scotland's future relations with Europe after Brexit.

    The first minister is expected to outline plans for Scotland to remain in the single market, and for new powers to be devolved to Holyrood.

    Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to look "very seriously" at the proposals.

    But the UK government has also warned that a special deal for Scotland is unrealistic.

    In June's EU referendum, 62% of voters in Scotland backed remain, with 38% for leave.

  7. Background: Budget: Capital and Infrastructurepublished at 10:59 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

    The 2017-18 DEL capital budget from HM Treasury is £3,087m, a 5.3% increase in real terms compared with 2016-17. 

    The Scottish government’s borrowing powers have increased in 2017-18 and the Scottish government is now able to borrow up to £450m per year, up to a cumulative limit of £3bn.   

    Scottish MoneyImage source, bbc

    In addition, the Scottish government has £289m allocated for financial transactions in 2017-18. 

    It also plans to carry forward £55m to the 2017-18 capital budget using the budget exchange mechanism. 

    The Scottish government also expects to receive £15m during the year from HM Treasury in relation to the Glasgow City Deal. In total, this gives a capital budget of £3,896m. 

  8. Budget pledgespublished at 10:56 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

    • Completing the Queensferry Crossing
    • Complete the combined M8/M74/M73 improvements – the ‘M8 bundle’, 
    • Complete the AWPR.  make progress on the A9 and the A96 among many other
    • More than £470m of direct capital investment to begin delivery of 50,000 affordable homes,
    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay pledge money to finish the Queensferry CrossingImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay pledge money to finish the Queensferry Crossing

    • More than £140m for Energy Efficiency programmes to help deliver climate change targets
    • More than £100m investment in digital and mobile infrastructure, to improve digital connectivity, grow the digital economy and increase digital participation
    • complete the electrification of the Glasgow to Edinburgh rail line as part of our £5 billion investment plans in Scotland’s rail network by 2019
  9. Infrastructure investment of around £4 billionpublished at 10:56 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

    Scottish moneyImage source, Getty Images

    Derek Mackay says his budget confirms capital funding of around £470 million for housing in 2017-18, coupled with other funding mechanisms, to help deliver this commitment. 

    He says this budget secures infrastructure investment of around £4 billion.

  10. Economy, Jobs and Fairwork Committee nextpublished at 10:55 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

    The Economy, Jobs and Fairwork Committee will take evidence on the Scottish government's draft budget 2017-18, external from Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Secretary Keith Brown.

    The cabinet secretary will be joined by Chris Stark, Mary McAllan and Hugh McAloon from the Scottish government.

  11. Derek Mackay: 'We can deliver this budget'published at 10:55 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

    Media caption,

    Derek Mackay: 'We can deliver this budget'

    Scotland's finance secretary Derek Mackay has pledged a funding increase of £240m for local services as he set out his draft budget.

    The figure is disputed by opposition parties who claim local government funding faces a real terms cut of more than £300m.

    Mr Mackay's figures include money potentially raised from council tax changes and permitted increases of 3% as well as money that will be paid directly to head teachers to raise attainment in schools.

    He was interviewed on BBC Reporting Scotland about his spending plans

  12. Minister insists local services will get an increase of £240m in fundingpublished at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

    Finance Secretary Derek MackayImage source, Andrew Cowan
    Image caption,

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay insists that, "in totality", local services will receive additional funding because local authorities were allowed to increase council tax by up to 3%.

    Money due to be paid directly to head teachers to close the attainment gap will now be funded from central government, allowing councils to keep money raised by changes to council tax on higher-value properties.

    They will also get £357m from the NHS next year to pay for closer links between the health and social care sectors.

  13. Postpublished at 10:35 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

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  14. Postpublished at 10:34 Greenwich Mean Time 20 December 2016

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  15. Good morning and welcomepublished at 17:46 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2016

    Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 20 December 2016.

    We’ve opted for the Economy Committee, where the economy secretary will give evidence on the budget.

    MSPs will then pay tribute to the late Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone.

    In topical questions the issues of transvaginal mesh implants and the downgrading of the Scottish government forecast of revenues from the residential element of Lands and Buildings Transaction Tax.

    Day ahead montageImage source, BBC/PA/Thinkstock/Getty images

    Brexit Minister Nicola Sturgeon will then give a statement on Scotland’s place in Europe, after the Scottish government publishes its proposals for Scotland's future relationship with the EU after Brexit  

    The government will then lead a debate on improving the care experience for looked after children.

    MSPs will then vote on an LCM for the UK’s Higher Education and Research Bill.

    Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale will then lead a member’s debate entitled tackling mesothelioma in Scotland.