The Health and Sport Committee hears from the health secretary on the draft budget
The health secretary gives a statement on responding to winter pressure on the NHS
The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee leads a debate on Article 50
SNP MSP brings forward a members' debate on the maintenance of tenement communal property
The first day of parliament in 2018 is over, after a fairly packed schedule.
Image source, PAThe stand-out moment was Health Secretary Shona Robison apologising once more for delays in the health service over winter, attributing this to cold weather and rising flu rates.
Have a good evening and we hope to see you again tomorrow.
Local Government and Housing Minister Kevin Stewart points to improvements to the quality of Scottish housing in recent years, but agrees more must be done.
New powers in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 allow local authorities to pay for and recover repair costs from homeowners, he notes.
Tory MSP Graham Simpson says there is a "nervousness" among councils in using these powers as repayment is not guaranteed.
The minister explains the powers are new but expresses confidence that more councils will look to use them once best practice is established.
He points to a pilot of a £10m Equity Loan Scheme currently underway, which will be rolled out across Scotland if successful.
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Green MSP Andy Wightman recalls his own experience of trying to get a leaking roof fixed, stating at one point he was threatened with assault.
He suggests the government is reluctant to place any burden on homeowners, which is a barrier to repair work.
New legislation is vital, Mr Wightman says, stating there must be the ability to compel owners to pay to ensure properties meet basic standards of repair.
The Scottish Housing Condition Survey 2016, external, published last month, revealed 68% of all dwellings had some degree of disrepair.
This is a slight improvement on the previous year, when 73% of dwellings were in disrepair.
2% of dwellings fell below the tolerable standard and 45% of Scottish homes failed to meet to Scottish Housing Quality Standard.
Over a quarter of households were classed as fuel poor with 7.5% living in extreme fuel poverty. However, the is the lowest rate recorded by the survey since 2005-06.
Image source, Scottish Government
It must be easier and more straight-forward to maintain tenement buildings, says Labour MSP Daniel Johnson.
He lists three core issues:
SNP MSP Sandra White notes there is a high concentration of tenement housing in her constituency, Glasgow Kelvin.
She highlights the example of some residents in her constituency being out of their homes following a collapse since August 2016 due to money not being forthcoming from a business-owner on the ground floor.
She wonders whether legislation could be used to prevent similar scenarios on the future.
Tory MSP Graham Simpson agrees that repairing the existing housing stock is imperative.
"We are fast approaching a cliff edge and if we don't act, we are facing a crisis", he adds.
He says councils do not have the money to pay for all repairs.
A cross-party working group will be set up immediately after this debate, Mr Simpson confirms.
SNP MSP Ben Macpherson notes there are over half a million tenements in Scotland.
The quality of the communal property can impact everyday life, he states, adding maintenance is essential for secure infrastructure.
Poor maintenance of buildings is prevalent throughout Scotland.
"It's a national problem that requires national, as well as local, solutions."
Mr Macpherson calls for measures to push owners to change their mentality towards maintenance, noting absentee landlords are often indifferent towards the issues faces by tenants.
Some solutions he suggests are:
Image source, ThinkstockIn December 2016, RICS in Scotland published its proposal, external for a Tenement Health Check.
It recommends measures to encourage common owners to have condition surveys undertaken every five years should be introduced.
The idea has received some cross-party support, including at an event hosted by Conservative spokesperson for housing and local government Graham Smith in November last year.
SNP MSP Ben Macpherson is now opening his debate on the maintenance of tenement communal property.
Image source, Scottish parliament
Image source, bbcLabour MSP Kezia Dugdale
An election will now be held to fill the vacancy on the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body following the resignation of David Stewart MSP.
The nomination period closed at 4.45pm today.
Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale was the only nomination and is duly elected.
106 MSP voted for her and there were three abstentions.
Lewis Macdonald says Brexit will result in much less access to the EU market, particularly for services.
He urges UK ministers to set out what they envisage the new trade agreement to be.
The UK must either seek a future aligned with Europe or set out in a quite different direction, he says, noting that decision will be made this year.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, bbcLabour MSP Lewis Macdonald
Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald closes for the Culture, Tourism,, Europe and External Relations Committee and is thanked by the minister and the committee convener for his efforts.
The deputy presiding officer warns Joan McAlpine that she must be the last of the "love in".
The Labour MSP highlights the report by Dr Tobias Lock on the next phase of the Article 50 negotiations.
He says the UK will continue to be under the rules of the EU without the benefit of membership during the transition period.
Michael Russell says urgency is required as the EU Withdrawal Bill has "only a few weeks" left in parliament.
He disagrees with Adam Tomkins' views on the European Court of Justice, suggesting the UK has often taken advantage of its rulings.
He says the debate has been an encouraging start to cross-party agreement but adds he does not expect any good to come from Brexit overall.
Brexit Minister Mike Russell says he believes this has been a much better debate than twelve months ago.
The minister says; "The single market and the customs union are essential for the future of Scotland."
Mr Russell says if the prime minister cannot deliver this then a differentiated solution will be required.
Image source, bbcBrexit Minister Mike Russell
The Brexit minister says he cannot envisage circumstances where Scotland is separated from the single market and the customs union in the way that is being discussed.
He says the Tory MSPs comments on Clause 11 and the lack of UK government amendments are very helpful and he calls for action.
If there is none a continuity bill will be necessary says the minister.
Image source, Getty ImagesTory MSP Adam Tomkins describes it as "frustrating" that the necessary amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill have been "kicked" to the Lords.
Turning to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), he notes it will continue to play a role in the UK but claims it was the reason many people voted to leave the EU.
If there was another vote on EU membership I would vote to remain despite the ECJ, Mr Tomkins says.
He concludes by querying what arrangements Scotland wants on fisheries and agriculture post Brexit, suggesting this has not been discussed yet but there are opportunities.
Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says he would like to start positively as this debate has been positive.
Mr Tomkins says phase one of Brexit has been completed satisfactoraly.
He says there is a clear set of Brexit negotiating positions from the UK government.
Image source, bbcTory MSP Adam Tomkins
The Tory MSP says what goes for Northern Ireland must go for the rest of the UK too.
He says he is deeply frustrated and disappointed that the UK government has not yet brought forward the amendments to Clause 11 that are needed.
The Tory MSP says it is imperative that Holyrood gives consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill.
Claire Baker MSP is closing for Labour and emphasises the need for cross-party work on securing the best deal.
Hoping for clarity this year on how Brexit will impact specific sectors, she notes analysis indicates each sector will be affected differently.
Ms Baker urges government's to "respond positively" to any challenges.
The value of EU migrants to both the economy and wider society are highlighted.
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