Angela Constance says they will introduce a new approach to monitor bullying and ethic based bullying.

On the issue of Gypsy travelers, she says they need a "more focused and coordinated approach."

With this, she announces she has established a new ministerial working group, which she will chair.

They will start work in the new year.

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance says that they now have a "clear steer where we ought to concentrate our efforts."

She says: "It is the time now for specific concrete actions that will affect action now."

Ms Constance says that "everyone should have equality of opportunity in terms of employment" and says that the government will "review current employment support measures."

She says they will "work with organisations to increase employment and progression for people from minority backgrounds."

Ms Constance says the new action plans is "committed to a financial health check service for families from an ethic background with children or who are expecting."

Image source, bbc

The Scottish government leads a debate entitled 'A Fairer Scotland – Delivering Race Equality'.

Image source, Getty Images

That concludes the statement on the draft budget, but we will continue to bring you reaction throughout the rest of the day.

The Scottish government has announced income tax changes that will see higher earners pay more than elsewhere in the UK - and lower earners pay less.

The country's finance secretary, Derek Mackay, announced a new tax band of 21p for those earning more than £24,000.

The higher rate of tax will be increased from 40p to 41p and the top rate from 45p to 46p.

But a starter rate of 19p in the pound will also be introduced, Mr Mackay confirmed in his draft budget.

Mr Mackay said the move will mean no one earning less than £33,000 in Scotland will pay more tax.

Read the full budget document, external

Image source, bbc

Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker asks the finance secretary to guaruantee no fire stations will be closed.

Mr Mackay says the fire service is getting more money thanks to this budget.

In October we reported that fire stations are to be closed and firefighter numbers cut, according to documents seen by the BBC.

Papers circulated to senior Scottish Fire and Recue Service management said the current model could not last beyond the end of the financial year.

The Fire Brigades Union Scotland told the BBC that dozens of fire engines were already unusable because there were not enough crews to take them out.

In response, Scotland's fire chief said the service needed to be "transformed".

Fire stations are to be closed and firefighter numbers cut, according to documents seen by the BBC.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks why the government did not support the islands ferries in this budget as it had promised to do.

Mr Mackay insists the Scottish government is delivering on its commitments to the Northern Isles.

Image source, Getty Images

SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor asks if the chancellor will pursue the £140m of VAT the UK government have already taken from Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr Mackay says: "Yes of course we will pursue the UK government for this sum."

The governments have clashed over VAT for the Scottish police and fire services, after Mr Hammond confirmed they would be eligible for refunds from April 2018.

This brings Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service into line with their counterparts elsewhere in the UK - but tax paid since the creation of the national forces will not be reimbursed.

The two services pay about £35m a year in VAT - bringing the total bill since they were set up four years ago to £140m.

Scottish ministers have repeatedly called on the UK government to end the "glaring disparity" in the way that VAT affects emergency services across the UK, pointing out that territorial police and fire services in England and Wales already get refunds on their VAT bills.

Conservative MSP Donald Cameron asks about the Scottish National Investment Bank funding, and says "Can the cabinet secretary confirm that he be using some of the extra £1.1bn of financial transaction funding from the UK government to back it?"

To which Derek Mackay replies: "Yes I will."