Summary

  • The Justice Committee take evidence on the Domestic Abuse Bill

  • Today's topical questions features queries about Scottish government action to tackle sexual harassment and violent and abusive attacks on school staff

  • The government gives a statement on the Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions Annual Target Report for 2015

  • MSPs debate the promotion of walking and cycling

  • SNP MSP Ben Macpherson leads a member's debate entitled 'Unfair Police Scotland and Fire Service VAT Charges'

  1. Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

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  2. Labour MSP welcomes commitment to Climate Justice Fundpublished at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Labour MSP Claudia BeamishImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Claudia Beamish

    Labour MSP Claudia Beamish welcomes the government's commitment to the Climate Justice Fund.

    Ms Beamish asks what policies here in Scotland ensure the approach to tackling climate change is inclusive.

    She reiterated her party's call for a commission.

    Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says it is important parts of society are not left behind.

    Ms Cunningham says the irony is that the poorest areas will be hardest hit by climate change.

    She says there is a "deal of serious conversation around that" and to make sure no measures make things worse for any part of our communities.

  3. 'Scotland doing incredibly well' - Ms Cunninghampublished at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Conservative MSP Donald CameronImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Conservative MSP Donald Cameron

    Conservative MSP Donald Cameron says that "having viewed the report there is a lot to be proud of, but it is disappointing that emissions have gone up."

    He says "with housing having some of the weakest areas in the plan, what action will be taken?"

    Ms Cunningham says that "Scotland is doing incredible well set against other countries."

    On the question of housing, she says that "The honourable member will know there are significant challenges, not least of which is the existing domestic housing stock.

    "We are addressing the issue of making homes more energy efficient. But that becomes a challenge for individuals."

  4. Programme for government: Electric cars, bottle returns and low emission zonespublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Nicola Sturgeon wants to make the A9 Scotland's first fully electric-enabled roadImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Nicola Sturgeon wants to make the A9 Scotland's first fully electric-enabled road

    Environment is one of the Scottish government's buzz words and it certainly features heavily in this year's programme for government.

    The most headline grabbing element is the commitment to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2032 - that's eight years ahead of the UK government's pledge.

    A deposit-return scheme, previewed by BBC Scotland, will be created for drinks cans and bottles.

    And there was an announcement for money to try and revive Carbon Capture and Storage. About £100,000 will fund a feasibility study into a small scale project at St Fergus in the North East.

  5. Climate justice Fundpublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Ms Cunningham says: "Our Scottish National Action Plan on Human Rights commits us to continue to champion climate justice.

    "We continue to deliver the First Minister’s pledge at Paris to provide at least £3 million each year through our Climate Justice Fund.

    "Following on from over £6 million Hydro Nation funding for water adaptation projects in Africa since 2012, we gave £1 million in 2016 to the UN to support developing countries engage with the Paris Agreement."

    Our new Climate Justice Innovation Fund announced its first £600,000 for six projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

    "We will very soon announce the award of our new Climate Challenge Programme Malawi with £3.2 million over 3 years.

    "Between 2012 and 2021 our Climate Justice Fund will provide £21 million to some of the world’s poorest people."

  6. Scotland’s Climate Change Plan is due for publication in February 2018published at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    MS Cunningham

    Ms Cunningham says the Scottish government is currently working to finalise Scotland’s Climate Change Plan for publication in February 2018.

    The cabinet secretary says the final plan will be strengthened by the new low-carbon commitments set out in the First Minister’s Programme for Government.

    She says the final plan will include updated sectoral emission envelopes, reflecting new commitments, as well as the most up to date evidence.

  7. Background: Scottish government targets 66% emissions cut by 2032published at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    The previous interim target of 42% was met six years earlyImage source, Thinkstock
    Image caption,

    The previous interim target of 42% was met six years early

    In January the Scottish government outlined a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 66% by 2032.

    Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham set out the government's draft climate change plan, external for the next 15 years at Holyrood.

    She also targeted a fully-decarbonised electricity sector and 80% of domestic heat coming from low-carbon sources.

    Opposition members welcomed the plans, but raised questions about budgets and specific issues like fracking.

    However, the Scottish Greens said the plan showed ministers were "not listening to expert advice".

    Reduction targets are measured against a baseline set of figures from 1990.

  8. Climate change targets metpublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Ms Cunningham

    The cabinet secretary says the statutory “Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions Annual Target Report for 2015" shows that Scotland’s annual emissions reduction target for 2015 was met, meaning that targets have now been met for the second consecutive year.

    She says the report shows that that the Domestic Effort Target for 2015 was also met.

    Ms Cunningham says of the western European EU-15 countries, only Sweden and Finland have done better to date.

  9. Minister and first minister to attend Bonn Climate Change Summitpublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham stresses the cross-party consensus in Scotland on climate change,

    Ms Cunningham says In 2015, Scotland was one of the first countries to sign up to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

    This is overarching framework to tackle poverty and inequality, promote education and health, and grow the global economy sustainably.

    Ms Cunningham announces that she and the First Minister will be attending this year’s climate change talks in Bonn in a few weeks’ time.

  10. Background: Scottish greenhouse gas emissions risepublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    More money will be spent on how oceans and coastal ecosystems capture carbonImage source, Getty Images

    Greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland have risen but the statutory target for 2015 has been met, according to figures released in June.

    They show emissions in 2015 were 41% below the levels for 1990, a benchmark against which targets are set.

    Last year saw a record reduction of 45.8% which not only met the annual target but exceeded a medium-term aim to reduce emissions by 42% by 2020.

    It means total emissions since 2014 are 1.8% higher.

    Read more here

  11. Ministerial Statement: Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions Annual Target Report for 2015published at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Gas emissionsImage source, Getty Images

    There will now be a ministerial statement on the 'Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions Annual Target Report for 2015'.

    This is a report required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009., external

    It provides detail on the annual climate change emissions reduction targets.

  12. Mr Swinney talks about Oban Primary School examplepublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Mr Johnson asks what further steps will be taken.

    Mr Swinney says he acknowledges the seriousness of the issue.

    "Yesterday at Park Primary School in Oban, they have employed a link worker who works in dialogue with young people to express concerns over issues they have.

    "The school was a very welcoming environment but had taken this extra step."

  13. Education secretary says the appropriate procedures and support are in placepublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Mr Johnson says everyone has the right to safety at work, but thousands of teachers and support staff are facing attacks.

    Education Secretary John Swinney agrees and says the appropriate procedures and support are in place.

  14. Background: Times article: Attacks on school staffpublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Nine out of 10 staff have dealt with challenging behaviour, such as swearing or shouting, in the past yearImage source, THINKSTOCK
    Image caption,

    Nine out of 10 staff have dealt with challenging behaviour, such as swearing or shouting, in the past year

    From the Times:

    "Violent attacks and abuse are soaring in Scotland's schools, according to union leaders, with an average of 35 attacks on classroom assistants recorded per school day last year.

    "The number of incidents, which include biting, punching, kicking, spitting and verbal abuse, has risen by almost a third in three years.

    "In Glasgow attacks by pupils on classroom assistants rose from 781 in 2014-15 to 1,113 last year, and in Edinburgh more than doubled from 405 to 1,006.

    "Aberdeen recorded the largest proportional rise, from 99 to 517."

    Read more of the Times article here, external.

  15. Violent attacks and abuse towards school staff questionpublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Labour MSP Daniel Johnson asks the Scottish government what its response is to reports that violent attacks and abuse towards staff in schools have risen by a third in three years.

  16. Call to improve and clarify the complaints processpublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur welcomes the cross party agreement on a new complaints process.

    Mr McArthur says staff say the route to the ethical standards commissioner is not clear.

    He calls on the government to make clear to MSP's staff how to do so.

    Deputy First Minister John Swinney says he thinks Mr McArthur makes a fair point and says the issue will be considered.

    He says "if the process of raising a complaint feels ever more daunting to an individual" this must be addressed.

  17. The question of consent has to be respectedpublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    John Swinney

    Scottish Green Party convener Patrick Harvie says the "problem is deeply ingrained in our society, and multiple measures are needed."

    He says that a "cultural change is needed in our society."

    Mr Harvie asks Deputy First Minister John Swinney: " Does he agree that every child in every school receives the highest standard of sexual education?"

    Mr Swinney repled: "I agree with Patrick Harvie on the important on question of consent.

    "More importantly the whole question of consent has to be respected by society."

  18. Postpublished at 14:20 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

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  19. Postpublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

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  20. Labour MSP calls for an independent inquiry into sexual harassment at Holyroodpublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2017

    Labour MSP Monica LennonImage source, bbc
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    Labour MSP Monica Lennon

    Labour MSP Monica Lennon says the media reports about sexual harassment at Holyrood are sickening.

    Ms Lennon says the initial response from the parliament to set up an anonymous phone line is welcome but it must go further.

    She says nothing short of an independent review informed by women's organisations and trade unions is required.

    Ms Lennons points out the current running of the parliament is overseen by an all male group of MSPs.

    Mr Swinney says he agrees the government and parliament should work the organisations that have served the country well, like Engender and Close the Gap.

    The deputy first minister says more and more women are prepared to come forward about domestic violence and says lessons can be learned from this