Mr Wheelhouse says the government have announced the decommissioning challenge fund of £5m.

The business minister says he understands point about the amount, although it is a lot of money, it is targeted.

Image source, Thinkstock

He says the fund will help the supply chain.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald asks if the minister agrees the Scottish government might become an equity player.

Mr Wheelhouse says the Scottish government are open to ideas and listen to views and suggestions via consultations.

He says the UK government should introduce measures for exploration. 

The minister gives his own condolences to Mr Doig's family and thanks him for his work. 

Business Minster Paul Wheelhouse says Scotland is a great place to do business and the oil and gas sector is an important part of that.

Mr Wheelhouse says it is crucial that the highly skilled oil and gas work force is protected.

The business minister says it is crucial that assets are in the best hands.

He says the draft energy strategy reaffirms the government's strong commitment to the oil and gas sector. 

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says Oil and Gas UK estimates the industry has lost around 120,000 jobs since 2014.

Ms Baillie says many of those have been in Scotland and every job lost is a loss to the highly skilled workforce.

The Labour MSP says "we need to access the continuing affects on the Scottish economy"."We need to begin planning for decommissioning in the north east," she says. 

Tory MSP Alexander Burnett congratulates the Oil and Gas Authority and the industry for lowering the lifting costs.

Mr Burnett says industry does need more support. 

The Tory MSP says targets can be achieved but it will not be easy and that is why the north sea production must be extended.

He says the money from the Scottish government is welcome but is being spent in the wrong areas. 

Mr Burnett says the north east should continue to be a hub for excellence, knowledge and efficiency in the sector particularly in the face of Brexit.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald says the north east economy and the oil and gas workforce has shown "tremendous resilience".

"It is now time to provide hope for the future," he says. 

Image source, Reuters

Mr Macdonald says he has called many times over the last years for the Scottish government and UK government to help the sector.

The Labour MSP says they have reacted to this but there is more they can do.

He calls on both government's to work together following the Oil and Gas Authority , externalmodel.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald pays tribute to OPITO’s CEO David Doig. 

Mr Macdonald says Mr Doig worked tirelessly for the oil and gas industry to develop an apprenticeship scheme that will stand the text of time.

The number of jobs lost as a result of the downturn in the UK oil and gas sector were forecasted to top 120,000 by the end 2016, according to a report.

Oil & Gas UK estimated 84,000 jobs linked to the industry went in 2015, with 40,000 losses expected this year.

It said the offshore industry supported 453,000 jobs at its 2014 peak - either directly, in its supply chain or in trades such as hotels and taxis.

The new figures, external suggest 330,000 jobs would be supported by the end of 2016.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald will now lead this afternoon's member's debate on co-investment in the oil and gas sector.

Here is Mr Macdonald's motion:

Image source, Scottish Parliament

That concludes first minister's questions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the government has had discussions with the BBC over charter renewal. 

Ms Sturgeon says the government welcomes the introduction of a new channel.

Ms Harper says the proposals must be properly resourced.

The first minister says she "unequivocally welcomes a new channel" and says the SNP called for a new channel in 2006.

She says it is vital that it is properly resourced and the parliament must be firm in saying to the BBC this channel has to be properly resourced.

The Scottish Broadcast Commission in 2009 said £75m would be needed to fund a new channel and Ms Sturgeon says that is more than double the £30m funding proposition.

The BBC's new Scottish TV channel is evidence that the broadcaster wants to build an ambitious future in Scotland, its director general has said.

Lord Hall announced on Wednesday that the new BBC Scotland channel would start broadcasting next year.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

It will include a news hour from 21:00, with stories from Scotland, the UK and the world.

On Thursday, Lord Hall told MSPs the news bulletin would be backed by all of the BBC's global resources.

And he predicted that plans for the hour-long programme "could teach a few lessons to news broadcasters around the world".

SNP MSP Emma Harper asks what discussions the Scottish government has held regarding the future of broadcasting in Scotland. 

Nicola Sturgeon says the government is committed to creating a more fair and equal Scotland. 

Mr Griffin says the government has decided not to use its tax powers to reverse the trends. 

Ms Sturgeon says the minister for social security made a statement yesterday updating the parliament on the progress to making a new social security system.

The first minister says the government will abolish the Bedroom Tax.

She says the UK government may enforce the benefit cap and she calls for the chamber to unite in saying that is completely unacceptable.

The first minister says Holyrood will vote on the budget this afternoon and says those that vote against it will vote against £900m of funding on additional services

Labour MSP Mark Griffin asks for what reason the wealth gap between rich and poor in Scotland is widening.

Tory MSP Maurice Golden asks, in light of the verdict, whether the Scottish government considers that it was worthwhile for it to spend £136,000 on legal fees in the recent Brexit case at the Supreme Court.

Ms Sturgeon says yes not only was it worthwhile "it was absolutely essential for the Scottish government to be represented in that case".

The first minister adds that it is about time the Tories tell us how much they spent on their court case they lost on Article 50.

Mr Golden says "this is like a game of Jeopardy" and says this money is one example of the tens of millions of pounds promoting separation.

The first minsiter says Ruth Davidson was embarrassed by that question and says that is why she was talking to someone during it.

Ms Sturgeon says: "It is like Jeopardy and the Tories are playing at the expense of the rest of us."

She points out the UK government appealed the Article 50 case at every opportunity and refuses to reveal the amount it spent.

The first minister raises the Sewel Motion and recent events show Tory promises to Scotland can "never ever be trusted".

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar says people are 98% more likely to die of cancer in the  most deprived areas than in least deprived.

Mr Sarwar says the greatest fight against cancer deprivation is being led by Glasgow City Council and Macmillan and calls for best practice to be rolled out over Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon says the government already works with organisations and Glasgow City Council on this.

The first minister says these are not issues that have just arisen under one party, they are longstanding.

She says prevention of cancer is the most important issue.