Image source, AFP

An independent review of the child protection system in Scotland is to be led by former Crown Office chief Catherine Dyer.

Ms Dyer, who retired as chief executive of the prosecution service in March, will lead the in-depth review, which was  announced in February .

Education Secretary John Swinney confirmed her appointment at a child protection summit in Perth.

Politicians, police and council bosses have come together for the conference.

Child protection professionals from across Scotland are taking part in discussions and group work at the event, which was set up as one of the recommendations of the  Brock Report, external , a child protection study  published in November 2014 .

Mr Swinney and Health Secretary Shona Robison both gave speeches at the event.

The deputy first minister said the "long-standing" event was set up before issues such as  the Liam Fee case  were raised, although it was discussed in speeches.

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Childcare and Early Years Minister Mark McDonald says the government has been working to scrutinise child protection.

Mr McDonald says he is publishing both the Child Protection Improvement Programme (CPIP) and Catherine Dyer's report.

He says the government will accept all the recommendations in both. 

The Scottish government will now give a statement on the Child Protection Improvement Programme, external  (CPIP)

In December the government upate said the Child Protection Team hadsubmitted the CPIP report to ministers including recommendations on each of the areas of work within the Child Protection Improvement Programme. 

Image source, THINKSTOCK/BIGANDT_PHOTOGRAPHY

Catherine Dyer, independent chair of the System Review, also submitted her report to ministers on her findings.

Childcare and Early Years Minister Mark McDonald will now update Parliament and then both the CPIP report and Catherine Dyer’s report will then be published.

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In the afternoon session in the chamber there will be a ministerial statement on the Child Protection Improvement Programme.

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The Scottish government will then lead a debate on the Scottish Patient Safety Programme.  

Employability Minister Jamie Hepburn says he is "very proud" of the range of apprenticeships being offered in Scotland and how they have changed lives.

Mr Hepburn says the point has been made about putting apprenticeships on an even footing with further education qualifications and that should be the message.

The employability minister says Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to dispel some of the myths that apprenticeships are not as valuable as academic study.

Mr Hepburn says apprenticeships cannot be left to the market alone and there is a role for government intervention. 

The minister says he takes "very seriously" the need to engage with trade unions and he will look into Mr Leonard's point on trade unions not having enough representation on the government's advisory group. 

He says what the government did in response to the Apprenticeship Levy was to hold a public consultation.

Image source, SDS

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2017, external

There are 37,000 young people are currently going through an apprenticeship in Scotland.

The SNP manifesto committed to delivering 30,000 apprenticeships each year by 2020

The Scottish government also says it is committed to addressing gender imbalances and increasing the numbers of trainees who are disabled, care experienced, or from a BME background.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) says: "It’s our job to help create a skilled workforce that’s ready to face the future. 

"Our apprenticeships family plays a key role in setting people up for success in their careers. 

"SDS administers the funding for apprenticeships training, on behalf of the Scottish government."

Image source, MSP

Greens MSP Alison Johnstone says next week will see Edinburgh host a roadshow for S4 to S6 pupils to learn about apprenticeships. 

Ms Johnstone says the national minimum wage for apprentices remains too low. 

Image source, MSP

Labour MSP Richard Leonard says "we live in topsey turvey political times" 

Mr Leonard says the Apprenticeship Levy has been dubbed an unnessasary burden for employers by the employment minister. 

Employment Minister Jamie Hepburn intervenes to say there is a £73m tax burden on the public sector.

Mr Leonard says he agrees.

The Labour MSP says there is not enough trade union voices on the government's advisory group. 

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart says he'd also like to wish Mr Macgregor's son a very happy birthday.

Mr Lockhart says Apprenticeship Awareness Week allows for reflection on whether schemes are delivering their objectives.

The Tory MSP says, at a time of fast moving change in the economy, apprenticeships can provide the tools for lifelong learning. 

Mr Lockhart says employers such as ASDA have highlighted that there should be greater flexibility in apprenticeship schemes. 

SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor says apprenticeships are a vital part of building a fairer Scotland.

Mr Macgregor says it must be ensured that apprenticeships are fair and open to everyone.

The SNP MSP says there must be engagement with groups to ensure there are more young women going into apprenticeships.

He says young people often struggle to get into work because of a lack of experience and this helps with than. 

He says foundation apprenticeships are now available in every local authority in Scotland.

Mr Macgregor says it is his son's third birthday and wishes him a happy birthday. 

Image source, Apprenticeships.Scot

SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor welcomes members from Skills Development Scotland to the gallery.

Mr Macgregor says uses his motion to say that Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2017 , external will take place from 6 to 10 March with the theme, Apprenticeships are Changing, to celebrate the benefits that apprenticeships and work-based learning bring to employers and businesse.

The  week supports targets to create 30,000 modern apprenticeship places each year as well as the introduction of foundation and graduate level apprenticeships.

Here is SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor's motion. 

Image source, Scottish Parliament

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Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says the first minister accused a member of this parliament of misleading the public and asks if she will be given an opportunity to withdraw the remakes. 

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said he heard the remarks and on this occasion he did not consider them to be unparliamentary. 

Mr Macintosh reminds members of parliament to be respectful. 

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Ms Sturgeon says the Child Poverty Bill aims to lift children out of poverty. 

The first minister says it is not targets in themselves that will reduce child poverty but policies and the actions the government will take.

Mr Griffin says if the government has any hope of making this Bill a success it must "start showing some teeth."

He asks if the government will top up child benefit.

Ms Sturgeon says the government has brought forward plans for a Best Start Grant and has set out clear plans about increasing incomes for those families who most need it. 

Image source, Getty Images

Legislation setting targets for the eradication of child poverty in Scotland was tabled at Holyrood earlier this month.

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill will set a series of statutory targets to reduce, and ultimately wipe out, what minsters call a "systemic problem".

Studies show more than 200,000 children in Scotland  are growing up in poverty .

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance said this was "utterly unacceptable", adding that the government is "utterly committed" to tackling the problem.

Labour MSP Mark Griffin asks the First Minister how many children the measures in the Child Poverty Bill will lift out of poverty by May 2021. 

Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks what the Scottish government's response is to reports that sports funding is set for a 20% reduction over the next three years, which has been described by Sportscotland as "heartbreaking".

Ms Sturgeon says the sport budget has not been set beond 2017-18 but there are no plans to reduce it.

Mr Whittle says the cuts to the sports and local government budgets will affect those in deprivation and it will drive health inequality.

He asks the first minister to look again.

Ms Sturgeon says the government will continue to work with its stakeholders and will continue to invest in sport. 

The first minister says there are real-terms cuts to the Scottish budget imposed by Westminster.