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Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing says the bill removes the three year limitation in cases of abuse.

Ms Ewing says this bill is about striking a balance.

The minister says she has listened carefully to evidence on the definition of abuse.

She says she has noted the concern around the term emotional abuse.

Ms Ewing says it will ultimately be for the court to decide if a case involves emotional abuse.

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The cost of compensation for survivors of childhood abuse in Scotland could total at least £200m, MSPs have heard.

The Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill has been tabled which would allow victims to claim compensation beyond the current three-year time bar.

Alistair Gaw of Social Work Scotland told Holyrood's justice committee the cost could be "highly significant".

He cited an inquiry in Jersey, where the average cost of a payout was £40,000, expanding this to a possible 5,000 Scottish victims.

The Scottish government said it was "fully committed" to consultations over the issue of financial redress.

An independent Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, external is currently under way, led by judge Lady Smith.

The justice committee is examining a government bill, external to allow victims of abuse to claim compensation beyond the current time bar, which could permit claims dating back to 1964.

• Look back on the justice committee on Holyrood Live

Read more here.

Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing thanks those who have given evidence during the scrutiny of the bill.

Ms Ewing thanks the survivors for their bravery in helping to scrutinise the bill.

The minister says this bill has been put forward after recommendations from the Human Rights Commission. 

"This bill is about access to justice," she says

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The Limitation (Childhood Abuse) Bill will lead to a significant change in the law for victims of historical child abuse is being drawn up by the Scottish government.

It would scrap the three year limit for bringing civil claims for sexual, physical or mental abuse suffered as a child.

And it means cases from as long ago as 1964 could eventually be heard in court.

But what does this change mean for the victims of child abuse - as well as for some of the organisations which could soon have to defend themselves in court?

Read more here.

MSPs will now debate the Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill , externalfor the first time.

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Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says there is no mention of the IT infrastructure that will underpin this and she asks what confidence does the minister have in the IT.

Ms Freeman says the government's approach in terms of IT is not to see it in terms of a stand alone thing.

The social security minister says IT will be an integral part of the social security agency.

She says the government will learn the lessons of what has gone before.

The minister says the money for 1.4m people will not be put at risk.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the minister has highlighted the demeaning process claimants have experienced.

Ms Johnstone asks if a letter from the GP would be accepted in place of assessments.

Ms Freeman says she is consulting with the expert advisory group and she is attempting to secure evidence in order to make decisions. 

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The Scottish government plans use its new social security powers for the first time to increase the frequency of Universal Credit payments.

Universal Credit itself remains reserved, but ministers will use new powers to give claimants the option to be paid fortnightly instead of monthly.

The government also plans to offer to pay housing benefits direct to landlords rather than via claimants.

Opposition MSPs welcomed the move, but said the government should do more.

Holyrood is taking on a series of newly-devolved welfare powers, from personal independence payments to carer's allowances. A new social security agency is being set up and a Social Security Bill is set to be introduced this year.

• Timetable for welfare powers devolution
• Angela Constance answers your questions on social security

Read more here.

SNP MSP Sandra White says "we all have had people in surgeries with issues with communication with the DWP".

Ms White asks if the system will serve the perople of Scotland unlike the previous one.

Ms Freeman says "yes" communication will be as clear and direct as possible and digital, telephone and face to face communications will be used. 

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Social Security Minister Jeanne Freeman says she is grateful to Ms McNeill for her support for the bulk o her statement.

Ms Freeman says by the end of this parliament the government will be delivering all of the 11 benefits.

She says this will be incremental.

Ms Freeman says free advice and support will be available across Scotland.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill says there is a great deal in the statement that is to be welcomed.

Ms McNeill says the minister is reported as saying the new arrangements will not be implemented until 2021.

The Labour MSP asks if this date may be brought forward as some claimants are still at the mercy of the old system.

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Ms Freeman says it is a bit disappointing Mr Tomkins took the approach he has.

The minister says the fact that this will be a rights based system will be on the face of the bill.

She says ministers will be accountable to the parliament and the people of Scotland for the delivery of the model she has described.

The social security minister says the new social security system will be built on the direct personal experience of people using the benefit system, unlike Westminster.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says it is good to see that progress is finally being made after three years.

Mr Tomkins says "it is not news that there will be a new social security agency" but there is still more detail on it.

The Tory MSP asks who the agency will be accountable to. 

The minister says she will return in the autumn to provide members with an update and detail our next steps.

Ms Freeman highlights the forthcoming Social Security Bill which she says is on track for introduction to this Parliament by the summer.

She says: "Our number one priority remains - the safe and secure transition of 11 benefits for the 1.4 million people who rely on them."

MS Freeman says: "I can confirm to the chamber that in our assessment model there will be no contracting with the private sector."

Ms Freeman says: "I am in no doubt that the current UK assessment model must be substantially changed."

She says: " I am in no doubt that the current UK assessment model must be substantially changed."

The minister says the new agency, once fully operational, will create an estimated 1500 jobs.

She says when fully delivering all the benefits, the government estimates the annual running costs of the agency will be around £150 million.

MSPs took some responsibility for welfare for the first time when Holyrood returned from its summer break last year.

The UK government laid regulations in parliament to devolve some of the powers to MSPs from 5 September 2016.

It meant MSPs were able to create new benefits in devolved areas.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

They were also be able to top-up existing payments such as Universal Credit, tax credits and Child Benefit.

The new powers meant Scotland could make changes to the timings of payments for Universal Credit and alter employment support as well.

The move was agreed in the Scotland Act 2016, external which was passed in March 2016.

SNP ministers are currently scheduled to bring forward a Social Security Bill, which will establish a new welfare agency for Scotland, during the 2016-17 parliamentary session.