Ms Sturgeon's minority SNP government is asking the Scottish Parliament to back its plans to ask Westminster for a section 30 order, which is needed to make a referendum legally binding.

The government is expected to win today's vote with the support of the Scottish Greens - despite opposition from the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats.

They argue that most people do not want another referendum, and that it will only lead to greater division and uncertainty in the country.

Image source, PA

Ms Sturgeon acknowledged to MSPs that many people do not relish the prospect of another referendum, but insisted that the only alternative was "simply to drift through the next two years, crossing our fingers, hoping for the best while fearing the worst."

She added: "It would mean accepting that at the end of this process we will not even have the option of choosing an alternative path, and that the direction of our nation will be decided for us.

"I do not consider that to be right, or fair. The future of Scotland should not be imposed upon us, it should be the choice of the people of Scotland."

• Do voters want a second referendum?
• Allan Little examine's Scotland's dilemma

SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor asks what action the government is taking in light of the findings in the report, Shifting the Curve , that people in minority ethnic groups are often the most disadvantaged and can face additional barriers when trying to get out of poverty.  

SNP MSP Mairi Evans asks whether the Scottish government has received assurances from the UK government that it will not impose the changes to housing benefit for 18- to 21-year-olds in Scotland while discussions regarding a possible exemption are ongoing.  

Image source, bbc

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says 84% said the social security agency should deliver all the devolved benefits.

Ms Freeman says she will announce a preferred model for a social security system by May. 

Mr Carlaw asks what confidence the people can have given the "shambles" of previous IT systems such as the CAP system.

Ms Freeman says lessons have been learned from previous systems and from the consultation. 

Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw ask what the government's position is on 72% of respondents to its consultation on social security in Scotland believing that it should aim to deliver social security through already available public sector services and organisations.  

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says the government is engaging with a large number of stakeholders as a part of a consultation.

Mr Lindhurst asks if a decision will be made on the Pentland film studios before the election in May. 

Mr Stewart says he will not discuss a live case.

Image source, AFP/GETTY

Holyrood is expected to back First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's call for a second independence referendum.

MSPs will vote at 17:30 on the motion allowing the Scottish government to open negotiations with Westminster on the timing of a fresh poll.

Ms Sturgeon wants the referendum held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

Prime Minister Theresa May said last week that  now was not the time  to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence.

She argued the focus should be on getting the best Brexit deal for the whole of the UK.

Tory MSP Gordon Lindhurst asks what progress the government is making on improvements to the planning system, in light of the Review of the Scottish Planning System.

SNP MSP Kate Forbes asks what powers and responsibilities have been devolved to Highlands and Islands communities in the last 10 years.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks when details of funding for the third sector interface model for the 2017-18 financial year will be finalised.  

Tory MSP Edward Mountain asks how the government encourages volunteering in communities.  

Labour MSP James Kelly ask what action the government is taking to support the provision of social housing.  

SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks about changes in UK welfare policy that would see women have to prove that they have been raped in order to get social security benefits..

Ms Constance says it is "barbaric" to expect women to disclose information on this in order to get social security benefits.

Social Security Secretary Angela Constance says the government are investing in childcare and early years.

Ms Constance says the council tax reduction scheme and mitigating the bedroom tax will help with child poverty.

Mr Smyth says this parliament has the powers to mitigate child poverty and asks if they will be used.

Ms Constance says there has been "a shocking rise in child poverty" and as part of the Programme for Government there will be a Child Poverty Bill. 

"If we are going to be successful in turning around child poverty, we have to get more to those in most need," she says.

Image source, Getty Images

Legislation setting targets for the eradication of child poverty in Scotland has been tabled at Holyrood.

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.

The  legislation, external  sets an initial target of cutting the number of children in relative poverty to less than 10% by 2030, and in absolute poverty to less than 5%. As of December 2016, the rates  stood at 22% and 21% respectively .

The government said it would publish  a three-year delivery plan  by April 2018, which will be updated every five years alongside annual reports to measure progress.

Poverty has been shown to be the driver of inequalities from  educational attainment  to  the health of children .

Image source, bbc

More than a quarter of children in Scotland were living in relative poverty after housing costs in 2015-2016, according to government figures.

It marks what charities described as a "devastating" rise of 4% from the previous year.

Overall figures show 1.05 million people in Scotland were in relative poverty after they had paid housing costs, up 2% from the previous year.

Ministers said making a fairer and more equal Scotland was a "core ambition".

John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, challenged both the Scottish and UK governments to act quickly to address the problem.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth asks what action the government will take to raise the incomes of families with children living in poverty.