Image source, bbc

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell says action means women are accessing maternity care earlier in pregnancy.

Ms Campbell says the government will roll-out free vitamins to pregnant women from the spring.

She also points to the baby box. 

Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

Image source, Thinkstock

There are many disadvantages to being in poverty, but the starkest one is that you're on track, from birth, to die younger than others.

That's on average, of course. But it's an average which tells a compelling story about life chances.

What is much starker is that your healthy life, before your health condition deteriorates, is a great deal shorter than that.

It's a factor that means the average person from the most deprived tenth of Scots dies aged 73, after 23 years of living in "not good health".

The person from the least deprived tenth of Scots can expect to die, on average, aged 83, after 10 years of being in poor health.

SNP MSP Ash Denham asks what action the government is taking to reduce health inequalities during pregnancy and in the postnatal period.

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Greens MSP Mark Ruskell says councils are making developments that will make air quality worse and some of those developments have been approved.

Ms Watt says it is more a question for the planning minister and flags up the debate tomorrow.

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Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt says the government is aware of th research and gets advice from public health experts.

Ms Beamish says, with new research coming forward, will minister take measures to reduce air pollution.

Ms Watt says the government are committed to ensuring air quality and lowering air pollution. 

Image source, ZEPHYR/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Tiny particles of pollution have been discovered inside samples of brain tissue, according to research.

Suspected of toxicity, the particles of iron oxide could conceivably contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's - though evidence for this is lacking.

The finding - described as "dreadfully shocking" by the researchers - raises a host of new questions about the health risks of air pollution.

Many studies have focused on the impact of dirty air on the lungs and heart.

Now this new research provides the first evidence that minute particles of what is called magnetite, which can be derived from pollution, can find their way into the brain.

Earlier this year the World Health Organisation warned that air pollution was leading to as many as three million premature deaths every year.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish asks what the government's response is to research suggesting that there is a possible link between Alzheimer’s disease and air pollution.

This afternoon in the chamber, health and sport ministers are in the hot seats for portfolio questions. 

Brexit Minister Mike Russell will give a statement on the UK Supreme Court Judgement on the triggering of Article 50.

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This will be followed by a Labour led debate on the draft budget.

After decision time, SNP MSP Emma Harper will lead this evening's member's debate on celebrating Burns and the Scots language.

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Prof Scott says the first year in post will allow him to choose the areas to focus on.

He says there needs to be a debate about what fair access means.

Image source, The Scotsman

The Scotsman newspaper is marking exactly 200 years since the publication of its first edition.

A souvenir edition has been published which includes the original front page and a letter of congratulations from The Queen.

The issue also marks the start of year-long multi-platform project called 200 voices.

It will feature columns from 200 "remarkable people who have played a major role in the nation".

SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor says it is about making sure that people have choices and there appears to be an obsession with university. 

Prof Scott says Mr MacGregor is right and he would resist any suggestion that a college experience is somehow inferior to a university experience.

He says this is about giving choices and giving all children a level playing field in terms of a starting point.

Image source, bbc

Commissioner for Fair Access Prof Scott says he thinks it is important that the institutions with the most privileged intakes have a heightened responsibility.

Prof Scott says: "I have to say they do make major efforts."

He says St Andrews organised a conference on widening access and he was impressed by the efforts of the principle.

Tory MSP Liz Smith asks if Prof Scott has concerns around the competitive edge for student places relating to funding and student caps.

Prof Scott says, he does, and a frank discussion is required around this to avoid any controversies.

He says it affects the culture of, at least some, Scottish universities. 

Image source, PA

Ms Lamont says everybody here would support higher education for everyone which is  difficult to see in terms of the tuition fees policy.

The Labour MSP asks about the four year degree course saying some people think the final year at school is like the first year at university.

Prof Scott says you would have to bold to change that as Scotland is the standard across Europe and across the world, adding England and Wales are exceptional in having a three year degree.

He says the four year degree gives more flexibility. 

Prof Scott says it is only this year that the cap has been removed so it remains to be seen how this will impact fair access.

Ms Lamont asks if it is Prof Scott's job to question political decisions that are not evidence led.

Prof Scott says it is correct that he should point out the consequences but the ultimate decision will lie with the government.

Ms Lamont says, in her opinion, Scots students are among the worst off.

Prof Scott says it is his job to increase the sensitivities around fair access for students. 

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Johann Lamont says we lose so much potential through the system

Ms Lamont says education policy and evidence based policy are two different things.

She says tuition fees mean universities are underfunded, it is cross subsidised and it is rationed by a quota making it more difficult for Scottish people to get into university.

Prof Scott says he has to accept these are political decision and the Scottish government has to establish its priorities.

The commissioner says additional resources would always be welcome and the choices are always political ones.