The 1% cap on public sector pay rises in Scotland will be scrapped next year, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

The Scottish government has largely stuck to a UK-wide 1% limit on pay rises that was introduced in 2013 after a two-year freeze.

But as she outlined her government's plans for the next year, the first minister said future pay rises would be based on the cost of living.

There have been reports that the UK government is drawing up similar plans, external.

The pay cap has led to complaints that public sector workers have seen dramatic real-terms drops in their earnings in recent years.

Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament that "nurses, teachers, police officers and firefighters deserve a fairer deal for the future".

She said: "We will, therefore, aim to secure pay rises from next year that are affordable, but which also reflect the real-life circumstances our public servants face and the contribution our public services make to the overall prosperity of our country."

• What's in the programme for government?
• Victory for 'Frank's Law' campaigners
• Education remains number one priority
• Read more here

Image source, bbc

Childcare and Early Years Minister Mark McDonald praises the work of youth workers and volunteers across Scotland.

Mr McDonald extends his personal thank you to everyone involved in the Boy's Brigade in their crucial work helping to improve outcomes for young people.

He wishes the Boy's Brigade well for the next hundred years.

Image source, bbc

Childcare and Early Years Minister Mark McDonald begins by admitting he was not in the Boy's Brigade but in the Scouts, leading to some good natured murmurings from his fellow MSPs.

The minister sensibly moves on to pay warm tribute to the Boy's Brigade and the contribution the organisation makes to Scotland.

Mr McDonald praises the volunteers who support young people.

He recognises the contribution of the Boy's Brigade, other uniformed organisations and youth work to equity in Scotland.

The Boys’ Brigade (BB) is celebrating 100 years of working with eight to 11-year olds in 2017.

The organisation is engaging its current members in a range of special events, challenges and programmes, to ensure that they are central to the very special celebrations.

Image source, BB

Members of the Juniors age group have been marking the milestone throughout 2017, including taking part in the Juniors100 Challenge where young people are being encouraged to complete 100 challenges including activities like ‘Taking part in a world record attempt’, ‘Learning basic first aid skills’, ‘Raising £100 for a local charity’ and ‘Trying-out a new sport’.

The adventure for this age group started back in September 1917 and continues today with this week more than 5,000 eight to 11-year olds in the BB taking part in a fun and active programme across more than 400 groups across Scotland.

The celebrations will run until the end of 2017 and actively encourages BB members and local communities to get together and celebrate the section whilst reaching each member’s full potential.

Image source, bbc

Mr Alexander uses his motion to welcome that in Autumn 2017, the Boys’ Brigade in Scotland is marking 100 years of working with the "Juniors" age group.

The group was established in September 1917 when the Brigade Council, the Brigade's governing body, established the Boy Reserves to cater for boys aged from nine to 12.

The Tory MSP says members of the Juniors have been marking the milestone throughout 2017, including taking part in the Juniors 100 Challenge where young people are being encouraged to complete 100 challenges.

Mr Alexander tells the chamber these challenges include activities such as taking part in a world record attempt, learning basic first aid skills, raising £100 for a local charity and trying out a new sport.

Image source, bbc

Mr Alexander says more than 5,000 eight to 11-year olds are taking part in a fun and active programme across more than 400 groups throughout Scotland.

The Tory MSP says membership of The Boys' Brigade, external offers young people so much, the chance to excel in new skills or talents, to explore, discover new things and provide opportunities and, above all, to have fun.

He says membership of The Boys’ Brigade, external can help children and young people’s health, tackling childhood obesity and helping bridge the educational attainment gap.

Conservative MSP Alexander Stewart will now lead a member's debate celebrating the Boys' Brigade Juniors 100th Anniversary.

The 1% cap on public sector pay rises in Scotland will be scrapped next year, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

The Scottish government has largely stuck to a UK-wide 1% limit on pay rises that was introduced in 2013 after a two-year freeze.

But as she outlined her government's plans for the next year, the first minister said future pay rises would be based on the cost of living.

There have been reports that the UK government is drawing up similar plans, external.

The pay cap has led to complaints that public sector workers have seen dramatic real-terms drops in their earnings in recent years.

Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament that "nurses, teachers, police officers and firefighters deserve a fairer deal for the future".

She said: "We will, therefore, aim to secure pay rises from next year that are affordable, but which also reflect the real-life circumstances our public servants face and the contribution our public services make to the overall prosperity of our country."

• What's in the programme for government?
• Victory for 'Frank's Law' campaigners
• Read more here

Image source, bbc

Deputy First Minister John Swinney says his party have strived to establish the link between poverty and education, citing efforts to tackle the attainment gap.

Mr Swinney says the challenges in housing were produced by the "recklessness of Conservative housing policy".

He says the boldness of the government's agenda has been captured by SNP backbenchers reflecting on measures to strengthen the economy.

Image source, bbc

The first minister has pledged to "fully implement" Frank's Law, the extension of free personal care to under 65s with degenerative conditions.

It is named after former Dundee United footballer Frank Kopel, who died in 2014 after being diagnosed with dementia.

Mr Kopel's wife, Amanda, has been campaigning for a change in the law since 2013.

Frank Kopel was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's in 2008, aged 59.

Image source, bbc

Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw welcomes the Frank's law proposal and the organ donation legislation.

However Mr Carlaw says on the NHS, education and police the government has "run its course".

He says "We were promised a refresh."

But alas, Mr Carlaw says: "Same old, same old".