MSPs quiz Education Secretary John Swinney on the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) Bill
Rural economy and connectivity ministers are quizzed, to be followed by environment, climate change and land reform ministers, in this week's portfolio questions
MSPs debate and then vote on the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill
Green MSP Andy Wightman leads a debate on Homes First
Image source, Scottish ParliamentMSPs agree a series of amendments in the delivery plan grouping.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie calls on equality to be embedded from the start in legislation.
Social Security Secretary Angela Constance agrees with Jackie Baillie and calls o members to back them all.
MSPs unanimously back amendment 41 and a raft of other amendments in a very consensual Stage 3 amendments stage so far.
Image source, Labour MSP Pauline McNeilLabour MSP Pauline McNeil
Labour MSP Pauline McNeil speaks to her amendment 43 and says she seeks not to move it.
Ms McNeill says amendment six adequately covers the issue and backs Alison Johnstone's amendment 42.
She says ministers should be expected to say whether they intend to use benefit top up powers.
The Labour MSP says ministers should set out quite clearly what resources they will use to tackle child poverty.
Social Security Secretary Angela Constance repsonds to the amendment put forward by Pauline McNeill and Alison Johnstone.
"Amendment six addresses points Ms Johnstone and Ms McNeill make.
"However, in keeping with the cross party co-operation, the Scottish government will not oppose these amendments."
She also adds that: "In living wage week we are even more aware of the importance of the living wage."
Ms Constance announces the government will support Adam Tomkins' amendment two, but not amendment 3.
Mr Tomkins says his party will support all the government's amendments in this group.
Image source, bbcGreen MSP Alison Johnstone
MSPs agree Amendment four.
Green MSP Alison Johnstone moves amendment 40 and speaks to all other amendments in the group.
Ms Johnstone says the anti-poverty measures need to be "radical far and reaching" and will need to be adequately funded.
She says her amendments call for an assessment of financial resources and for an indication of whether child benefit will be topped up.
Ms Johnstone says there is evidence of the positive impact of a £5 top up she says and she cites CPAG's backing.
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Labour MSP Pauline McNeill thanks those who "stood firm to ensure we got something statuary and independent."
She also thanks the Scottish government for the "way it has worked constructively through this."
She adds: "In summer I wondered if we would get here. Everybody has been brought to a place where we would like to be."
Image source, bbcTory MSP Adam Tomkins
Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says it is important that there is a statutory Poverty and Inequality Commission that is accountable to MSPs.
Mr Tomkins welcomes the amendments and says his party will back them.
Social Security Secretary Angela Constance says to parliament : "The Scottish government has retained our vision of being wide in scope.
"I am pleased to confirm to parliament, that I have identified a pragmatic and workable solution.
"Amendment 38 lists the poverty and inequity provision. This will allow the Scottish government to bring forward a public reform order.
"Amendment 29 will mean the provision come into force 1 July 2019."
Ms Constance also announces a range of other amendments, some technical provisions.
"I hope that members can support them to allow us to move forward together."
MSPs begin with amendments relating to the Poverty and Inequality Commission.
The Bill was debated in parliament on 1 June this year, with MSPs unanimously agreeing to the general principles of it.
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Image source, bbcMSPs will now debate the list of proposed stage 3 amendments of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill.
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Image source, bbcParliament unanimously backs Maree Todd's appointment as a junior minister.
Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw says: "This is the most depressing ministerial resignation in our relative short history.
"I thank the former minister for his service.
"I note in particular the focus he brought with real passion and feeling to the issues of children with autism. thought he did a commendable job in that regards."
Ms Sturgeon says government has few greater responsibilities than ensuring every child has the best start in life.
The first minister says Maree Todd has her confidence in this and calls on the parliament to back her appointment as a junior minister.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is talking about the appointment of Maree Todd as the new Scottish childcare minister following the resignation of Mark MacDonald.
She says: "Mark oversaw the early work to double our nursery precision and the baby box roll out.
"Politics must set the highest of standards. John Swinney urged men to reflect on their behaviour and Mark has done that. It was the right decision."
Image source, bbcMaree Todd
Highlands MSP Maree Todd has been named as the Scottish Government's new minister for childcare and early years.
Ms Todd replaces Mark McDonald, who resigned over previous actions he said were considered "inappropriate".
He is one of two SNP members currently being investigated by the party over possible misconduct.
It is expected that Ms Todd's appointment will be scrutinised and approved by the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.
Image source, bbcMark McDonald is MSP for Aberdeen Donside
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "I am really pleased that Maree has agreed to take up the post of minister for childcare and early years.
"Improving the life chances of children and young people is at the heart of this government's agenda, so this is a crucial post.
"We want to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up and are taking forward a range of actions to achieve this."
Ms Todd worked as a pharmacist in NHS Highland for 20 years before being elected in May 2016.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calls on the parliament to agree that Maree Todd be appointed as Childcare and Early Years Minister.
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