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Staff at Burntisland Fabrication, or BiFab, have agreed to continue working on their current order even though they might not be paid, union leaders said on Monday.

Emergency talks have been taking place at the engineering company after it warned it was on the verge of appointing administrators.

BiFab has a workforce of about 1,400 people at yards in Fife and Lewis.

Unions said staff had agreed to a "work-in" to ensure the contract they are working on remained at their yards.

Bifab said it was "actively in discussion" to consider options to allow it to continue trading.

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Labour MSP Jackie Baillie raises the issue of BiFab and the threatened job losses.

Ms Baillie asks what the government is doing about the situation.

Mr Swinney says he deeply admires the BiFab workforce for their skill and tenacity.

He says the Scottish government is doing everything in its power to help and is having discussions with all involved.

The deputy first minister says Nicola Sturgeon will be returning early from Bonn to hold discussions on BiFab if necessary.

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Scotland's former first minister, Alex Salmond, is to host a talk show on the Russian state-funded broadcaster RT.

Mr Salmond said the programme would include guests from the worlds of politics, business and entertainment.

It will be produced by Mr Salmond's own Slainte Media company, which he set up with former SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.

RT has been described as a Russian propaganda channel, but Mr Salmond urged viewers to judge for themselves.

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Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson says the Tories are saddened that the deputy first minister has lost its way.

She says Salmond now takes his orders from Putin.

Mr Swinney says the only sad thing today is the contribution from Ruth Davidson in first minister's questions.

He says the SNP government takes the serious decisions about the country and he will leave Ruth Davidson weeping on the benches.

Ms Davidson says that was a lacklustre answer.

The deputy first minister says when the UK government the SNP came to the rescue, as it did when the bedroom tax hit.

The Scottish Conservative leader says the deputy first minister's promises turned to dust.

Ms Davidson says Mr Swinney said the last thing he was going to do was to put up taxes.

Mr Swinney says public expenditure has been slashed by the UK government and the chancellor has an opportunity to address that in his budget.

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The Scottish government is considering substantial changes to Scotland's tax bands in order to bring in more money for public services.

BBC Scotland has learned that ministers are reviewing the income levels at which people begin to pay higher rates of tax.

They could decide to change those, or introduce new bands altogether.

The final decision will be unveiled as part of the Scottish budget later this year.

The Scottish Parliament has had full control over income tax rates and bands since last year, but the SNP administration has so far resisted calls from opposition parties to use the powers to raise income tax rates for high earners.

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Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson the deputy first minister has promised the basic rate of income tax would not rise.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney says the government is engaged in a dialogue on the future of taxation.

Mr Swinney says the finance secretary will announce the conclusion of that in the budget in December.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney is standing in for Nicola Sturgeon today, as she has been attending the climate change talks in Bonn.

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A new offence of "death by dangerous cycling" could be introduced as part of a review into cycle safety. So should cyclists also have to take a test before riding on UK roads?

Transport Minister Jesse Norman said it was "only right" to consider imposing strict laws on cyclists, following the death of pedestrian Kim Briggs, who was struck by cyclist while crossing the road.

Charlie Alliston, who killed Mrs Briggs while riding a bike with no front brakes, was convicted under a Victorian law.

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Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville is asked "why are independent schools not included."

Ms Somerville says: "There are a number of ways teachers can improve their professional learning around dyslexia."