Summary

  • MSPs take evidence on legislation that will lift the time bar preventing child abuse victims taking civil action against the individuals or institutions that abused them

  • The Scottish government delivers a ministerial statement on the National Review of Maternity and Neonatal Services

  • The Scottish government gives another ministerial statement on support for business and the economy

  • MSPs vote to set separate Scottish income tax rates and bands for the first time, as set by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay.

  • The member’s debate comes from Tory MSP Annie Wells who celebrates LGBT History Month Scotland 2017

  1. Minister insists his government is delivering for businesspublished at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Mr MackayImage source, bbc

    Mr Mackay says the only people who have been asleep at the wheel are the Conservative party who he says are now set to oppose the actions to help business across Scotland.

    The finance secretary says the transitional relief scheme south of the border is deeply unpopular.

    He asks why the Scottish Conservatives did not raise the issue of business rates during the budget negotiations.

    Mr Mackay insists his government is delivering for business.

    He says there is no impact on businesses for the support package.

  2. Postpublished at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

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  3. Postpublished at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

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  4. 'All too typical from a government who falls asleep at the wheel'published at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says, for weeks, the finance secretary has been denying there is a problem with business rates.

    Mr Fraser says, at last, he has been able to come to Parliament to address those concerns.

    Tory MSP Murdo Fraser
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Murdo Fraser

    He says "it is all too typical from a government who falls asleep at the wheel and crashes into a wall".

    He asks how much the total package of measures will cost.

    The Tory MSP asks where the additional sums have come from and are plans for next year only or for the next five years. 

  5. That package of business rates relief is worth over £600m says the ministerpublished at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Mr MackayImage source, bbc

    Mr Mackay says seven out of ten businesses in Scotland will pay the same or less in business rates

    That package of business rates relief is worth over £600m says the minister.

  6. Council resources being freed up - ministerpublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    The finance secretary says the government will consider research to further help the hospitality sector.

    Mr Mackay says by acting nationally council resources are being freed up.

    He says he has placed information in SPICe which sets out the changes.

  7. Postpublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

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  8. Postpublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

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  9. New national relief capping increases for hotels, pubs and restaurants at 12.5%published at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Mr MackayImage source, bbc

    Mr Mackay says some have argued for transitional relief, but he says this would help the very large utility firms.

    He says he has heard of the concerns in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

    The minister says the government will offer a new national relief capping increases for hotels at 12.5% and this will apply across pubs and restaurants.

    He says Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire  will have a 12.5% cap on increases for offices next year.

  10. Aberdeen hotelier Stewart Spence in business rates boycott callpublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Stewart SpenceImage source, bbc

    An Aberdeen hotelier has called for a nationwide boycott of new business rates after vowing to refuse to pay any increases.

    Stewart Spence, who owns the five-star Marcliffe Hotel, said a complete rethink was needed on how rates were calculated.

    Mr Spence told BBC Scotland he would only continue to pay his old rates and not what he said was a 25% hike.

    The Scottish government said thousands of businesses would pay no rates.

  11. Over half of premises will pay no business rates in coming year - Derek Mackaypublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says a further 3,500 properties will benefit from a 25% discount.

    Mr Mackay says more than half of all premises in Scotland will pay no rates in the coming year.

    The finance secretary says 8,000 premises will no longer have to pay the higher amount of tax.

    He says business rates are being cut and 7/10 businesses in Scotland will pay no rates at all.

  12. Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

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  13. Analysis from our business and economy editorpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Douglas Fraser
    Scotland business & economy editor

    Derek Mackay has been listening, and he's going to respond. The finance minister couldn't do otherwise. The noise has been deafening from those who see their business rates bills going up.

    The voice of self-catering tourism businesses is the latest to join the chorus of disapproval.

    Criticism seems to be particularly loud from the tourism industry, reflecting what independent assessor have seen about relatively strong rental valuations. That includes many small firms.

    Unhappiness is also notably strong in the north-east, where valuations fixed in early 2015 have not taken account of the subsequent oil sector slump.

    Small firms and the north-east are at the core of the SNP.

  14. Call for review of Scottish business rates revaluationpublished at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    CashImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    A review of how much each Scottish company has to pay in rates is underway

    The Scottish Conservatives have called for an "immediate review" of the business rates revaluation after firms raised concerns about tax increases.

    An assessment of how much each Scottish firm will pay in non-domestic rates is under way, to take effect from April.

    Tory leader Ruth Davidson has written to Nicola Sturgeon calling for an "urgent review" of the process.

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said the government had already offered help to businesses.

    He said additional help announced in the Scottish draft budget is worth £155m.

    The revaluation, external of how much firms have to pay is being carried out by independent assessors, funded by local councils. The Scottish Assessors Association, external has published provisional values, with the finalised figures to be sent out in March before they take effect in the new financial year.

    The last revaluation in Scotland was carried out in 2010.

  15. Extension of the Small Business Bonus Schemepublished at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Finance Secretary Derek MackayImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says a revaluation of business rates is taking place, the first since 2010.

    Mr Mackay says it is being conducted by dependent assessors.

    He says the government will respond to concerns raised by businesses.

    The minister confirms that he will reduce the poundage by 3.7%.

    He says the Small Business Bonus Scheme will be extended so that premises up to £15,000 will get 100% relief. 

  16. Why are business rates causing concern?published at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Edinburgh CastleImage source, Derek Harper
    Image caption,

    The rateable value of Edinburgh Castle has risen 500%

     Some Scottish businesses have expressed concerns about proposed changes to the rates they have to pay. From April, some businesses could see a rise in the amount they pay, with the tourist and leisure industry, especially in the north east, expressing most concern. 

    Why is this a problem now? Just click here to find out more

  17. Scottish business rates support to be announced shortlypublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    MoneyImage source, Getty Images

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will shortly announce further support for businesses later in a bid to address the growing row over rates bills.

    In a statement to MSPs, he is expected to outline additional help for firms in key regions and sectors of the economy.

    An assessment of how much each Scottish firm will pay in non-domestic rates is under way, to take effect from April.

    The Scottish Conservatives have warned of a "crisis", saying some businesses facing large increases could close.

  18. Postpublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

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  19. Mental health strategypublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Ms Campbell is being supported by the first ministerImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Ms Campbell is being supported by the first minister

    Ms Campbell says she recognises there are challenges around mental health for mothers and for mental health in general and that is why the government will bring forward a mental health strategy soon. 

  20. Question on early onset of mental health issues in motherspublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2017

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton
    Image caption,

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton asks if the government will commit to equipping maternity units with the tools required to identify early onset of mental health issues.