Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says this is an appropriate time for this debate because it is Scottish Apprenticeship Week. 

Mr Tomkins says apprenticeships are a "valuable source of recruitment."

The Tory MSP says this motion celebrates the success of the Community Jobs Scotland scheme. 

He says there are several young men and women in the gallery who have benefited in this scheme. 

Mr Tomkins says  phases 1 to 5 of the programme have created paid jobs for 7,049 young people, with an average of 52% being retained by their employer after their job had ended.

There has been a total of 68% positive outcomes into jobs, volunteering or education he says.

Image source, SCVO

Community Jobs Scotland adopts a competitive application and interview process before a young person is offered a job.

Mr Tomkins says phase 6, which is currently underway, will support a further 700 job opportunities for vulnerable young unemployed people aged 16 to 29 through a range of third sector organisations 

The Tory MSP welcomes the 7,500th Community Jobs Scotland job, which will see Ryan Brown from Glasgow take on the role of Trainee Development Worker with Move On for one year.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Conservative MSP Adam Tomkins leads a debate on Community Jobs Scotland.

That concludes first minister's questions.

We now move to the member's debate.

Labour MSP James Kelly says the government cut funding of £2m to initiatives fighting sectarianism. 

Mr Kelly says the government's Offensive Behaviour at Football Act has criminalised young men which is not consistent with the government's policy intention.

The Labour MSP calls on Mr Swinney to rethink its approach.

Mr Swinney says the government has called for the hate crime review to include the legislation.

He says there has been £12.5m invested to tackle sectarianism over the last five years.

Image source, PA

A culture of denial about the extent of problems caused by sectarianism still exists in Scotland, a new report says.

The  report, external , written by academic Dr Duncan Morrow, said this culture remained an obstacle to progress.

Dr Morrow, who headed an advisory group on tackling sectarianism, also called for a review of hate crime legislation.

The Scottish government said it was clear that more work was needed on sectarianism and that it was committed to taking forward the recommendations.

SNP MSP John Mason asks the first minister what the Scottish government's response is to the report by the chair of the Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland.

Mr Mason says there is concern if any changes are made to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act that it might legitimise sectarianism.

Mr Swinney says he agrees nothing should be done to legitimise sectarianism. 

He says the independent review of hate crime being carried out will include Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

Ms Lennon says WHO says evaluation is a central pillar of any suicide strategy.

She calls for evaluation of the last strategy before bringing forward the new one.

Mr Swinney says he will ask the health secretary to look closely at the serious point Ms Lennon has raised and says the government is determined to take all measures it can do to support vulnerable people.

Image source, SPL

The suicide rate is three times higher among the poorest Scots, according to a new report by Samaritans.

The charity is calling for more to be done to tackle inequality which it says is an important factor when it comes to people taking their own lives.

The most recent figures show that almost 700 Scots took their own lives over a 12-month period.

The Samaritans report , external highlights the role played by inequality.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon asks what the Scottish government's response is to the Samaritans' report, "Dying from Inequality", which suggests that there is an increased risk of suicide in the most deprived communities.

Mr Swinney says any death by suicide is a tragedy and sadly the link is well known.

He says there will be an emphasis on addressing inequalities in the forthcoming strategy.

Image source, Thinkstock

Life expectancy for Scottish men and women has continued to improve - but they still die younger on average than people anywhere else in the UK.

Statistics from the  National Records of Scotland, external  published in November put life expectancy at 77.1 years for baby boys born in the past three years, and 81.1 years for girls.

This was two years lower than the UK average for men, and 1.7 years lower than the female average.

And there were considerable differences between different areas of Scotland.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins asks for what reason life expectancy is no longer increasing in Scotland.

Mr Swinney says reducing health inequalities is one of the biggest challenges the country faces.

The deputy first minister says the causes of Scotland's mortality are complex.

Mr Tomkins asks why no targets were set to reduce mortality in the East of Glasgow with the Commonwealth Games.

The deputy first minister says the implications of austerity have increased the challenge.

He says the government is taking a coordinated approach to tackling these issues.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says the Scottish government will receive £350m and asks how much will go to councils.

The deputy first minister says it is a bit of an odd question as the Tories voted against business rate relief in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire council.

Mr Swinney says Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has asked for the money to go to a tax cut for the rich.

He says the Tories are asking for the money to be spent twice.