Summary

  • The Equalities and Human Rights Committee takes evidence from the Scottish Human Rights Commission

  • General questions is followed by our extensive coverage of first minister's questions, as ever

  • SNP MSP Bob Doris leads a debate focussing on the closure of Jobcentres in Glasgow

  • The Scottish government outlines a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 66% by 2032

  • The Scottish government leads a debate on the future funding of rural development

  1. Postpublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

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  2. RECAP: Scottish government targets 66% emissions cut by 2032published at 16:08 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    The Scottish government has outlined a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 66% by 2032.

    Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham set out the government's draft climate change plan, external for the next 15 years at Holyrood.

    She also targeted a fully-decarbonised electricity sector and 80% of domestic heat coming from low-carbon sources.

    The previous interim target of 42% was met six years earlyImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    The previous interim target of 42% was met six years early

    Opposition members welcomed the plans, but raised questions about budgets and specific issues like fracking.

    However, the Scottish Greens said the plan showed ministers were "not listening to expert advice".

    Read more here.

  3. Organic sector needs more supportpublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Claudia Beamish

    Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says it seems Scotland will not meet the biodiversity targets for 2020.

    Ms Beamish says Scotland's farmers do not only produce food but are also custodians of our land.

    The Labour MSP says the organic sector needs more support.

  4. Climate Change Plan analysispublished at 16:03 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Kevin Keane
    Environment Correspondent

    Environmental groups say Scotland's draft climate change plan is too much of a 'technofix' with not enough focus on changing behaviour. 

    The environment secretary has laid out a series of proposals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 66 percent by 2032. 

    The 172 page document sets a road map for decarbonising Scotland. 

    The plan aims to generate more of Scotland's electricity from renewablesImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    The plan aims to generate more of Scotland's electricity from renewables

    The aim - although not new - is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two thirds by 2032. 

    Among the policies are making half of Scotland's buses low carbon, fully decarbonising the electricity sector and making eighty percent of homes heated by low carbon technologies.

    Friends of the Earth Scotland says there's not enough to encourage behavioural change. 

    The Scottish government says it demonstrates a "new level of ambition" for Scotland.

  5. Postpublished at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

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  6. Views sought on Scottish government’s draft climate change planpublished at 15:57 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Four parliamentary committees have launched a joint call for views, external on the Scottish government’s plan on how it will meet climate change targets from 2017 to 2032.

    The draft Climate Change Plan which is the third draft report on policies and proposals (known as RPP3) was published by the Scottish Government today. 

    Sheep wind farmImage source, PS

    The committees will also scrutinise the effectiveness of the proposals and policies to meet these targets that were set out in the Scottish government’s first report, which covered 2010-2022 and second report, which covered 2013-2027.

     The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, Local Government Committee and the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee are all seeking views ahead of evidence hearings.

  7. Postpublished at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

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  8. Postpublished at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

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  9. Breaking News: Devolved administrations hold 'difficult' Brexit talkspublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Mr Russell called the UK government's approach "concerning"Image source, PA
    Image caption,

    Mr Russell called the UK government's approach "concerning"

    Scotland's Brexit minister has said there is great frustration building up over the UK's handling of Brexit.

    Speaking after a gathering of ministers from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, Mike Russell said it had been a "difficult" morning.

    He said Prime Minister Theresa May had "pre-empted" much of their discussion.

    Writing for The Times newspaper, external, Prime Minister Theresa May said the Scottish government should be "fully engaged" in the Brexit process.

    A Brexit document prepared in Edinburgh was discussed at the Joint Ministerial Meeting in London.

  10. Lib Dem MSP foresees a role for a number of different stakeholders on independent grouppublished at 15:41 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Mr Rumbles says his amendment asks the Scottish government to set up an independent group.

    Greens MSP Mark Ruskell intervenes to ask if Mr Rumbles sees a role for the Land Commission in that independent group.

    cattle

    Mr Rumbles says he sees a role for a number of different stakeholders and it is a unique opportunity. 

    On the Tory amendment, the Lib Dem MSP says it is a pity that all parties could not all agree on the best way forward for a new system because it is so important.

    He says the Lib Dems, agree with, and support the Labour amendment.  

  11. 'The only thing that is certain about the situation is uncertainty'published at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Scottish Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says Brexit will bring to an end of nearly 40 years of rural development funding from the EU through the CAP.

    Mr Rumbles says it will be up to the UK and Scottish governments to replace that funding and they must act responsibly.

    Scottish Lib Dem MSP Mike RumblesImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Scottish Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles

    He says: "The only thing that is certain about the situation is uncertainty."

    The Lib Dem MSP says it is essential a group is set up for considering options for designing a new system for distributing rural development funding.

  12. Here is the Scottish Lib Dem amendmentpublished at 15:31 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Here is the Scottish Lib Dem amendment. 

    Lib Dem amendmentImage source, Scottish Parliament
  13. 'Food poverty is not inevitable and we can choose to end it'published at 15:31 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Ms Grant says the New Zealand example "strikes fear into the hearts of most of Scotland's producers". 

    FoodImage source, Thinkstock

    The Labour MSP says it is an example of how many farms can go to the wall if the correct system is not in place.

    Ms Grant says we need to look at food production for the whole market.

    She says "food poverty is not inevitable and we can choose to end it".

  14. Background: Cost of living 'higher' in remote rural areas of Scotlandpublished at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    People in remote rural Scotland need up to 30% more income than the rest of the UK to have "a socially acceptable standard of living," says a report published in December.

    Its authors suggested better broadband could help create higher-paid jobs.

    Money

    They have also highlighted the need for adequate provision of training and childcare to help support workers.

    Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which was involved in commissioning the study, external, is supporting work to offer superfast broadband in rural areas.

    The report, Minimum Income Standard for Remote Rural Scotland 2016, has suggested that the level of income required to afford a socially acceptable standard of living and "to participate in society" is 10 to 30% more expensive in remote rural Scotland.

  15. Postpublished at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

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  16. 'Where powers are repatriated it follows that they should fall to devolved governments'published at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Labour MSP Rhoda GrantImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Rhoda Grant

    Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says it is right consultations and discussion about what takes place with rural development after 2020 takes place now.

    Ms Grant says the UK government must represent the needs of all our farmers in the Brexit negotiations.

    She says the devolved administrations must have a role in the negotiations.

    The Labour MSP says: "Where powers are repatriated it follows that they should fall to devolved governments."

  17. Here is the Scottish Labour amendmentpublished at 15:25 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Here is the Scottish Labour amendment.

    Labour amendmentImage source, Scottish Parliament
  18. Background: Concerns raised over Scots farm payments loan schemepublished at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    In September, farmers raised concerns about fresh issues with subsidy payments overseen by the Scottish government.

    TractorImage source, Thinkstock
    Image caption,

    Thousands of Scottish farmers receive subsidy payments under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy

    Ministers have set up a loan scheme to get funds to farmers who are yet to receive Common Agricultural Policy subsidies because of IT issues.

    However unions said there had been errors in calculating the loan offers sent out to hundreds of farmers.

    A government spokeswoman said they "regret this miscalculation" and were acting to get payments out on time.

  19. Tory MSP says it is not a surprise the finances of farms are in a perilous positionpublished at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Mr Chapman raise the issue of the difficulties the Scottish government have had with CAP payments this year.

    He says it is not a surprise the finances of farms are in a perilous position with this SNP failure.

    The Scottish Conservative MSP says he hopes this debate is not another attempt to create distrust between here and Westminster.

  20. Specific system for Scotland's agriculture required says Tory MSPpublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 19 January 2017

    Mr Chapman says European economies are struggling and the UK economy seems in good place to support rural economy needs.

    SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks if Mr Chapman is seeking that agriculture support should remain the same or even be increased.

    Tractor ploughing fieldImage source, Thinkstock

    Mr Chapman MSP says he thinks Scotland should continue to receive the same level of agricultural support.

    The Tory MSP says the objective for Scottish ministers should be a specific system for this country's agriculture.

    He calls on the SNP to engage with the UK government.