SNP MSP Graeme Dey confirms he is the second MSP to become a carer positive employer, following in the footsteps of colleague Tom Arthur.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale says there are not as many companies in the exemplary section of the Carer Positive.

Ms Dugdale says energy and services company Centrica, external in Edinburgh have received that accolade.

She says she will work to make her officer Carer Positive.

Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston says there are a range of steps employers can take voluntarily to improve carers' lives.

He notes it is not uncommon for carers to keep their duties secret from their employers.

Mr Halcro Johnston wonders what the Scottish government will do to improve on the number of private sector employers who are carer positive.

Carer Positive defines itself as "a Scottish Government funded initiative which has been developed with the support of a strong partnership of private, public and voluntary sector organisations in Scotland."

Operated by Carers Scotland, it:

• gives expert advice, information and support
• connects carers so no-one has to care alone
• campaigns together for lasting change
• innovates to find new ways to reach and support carers

Image source, Carers UK

SNP MSP Tom Arthur says carers make up 17% of the adult population of Scotland.

£10.3bn per year is generated thanks to unpaid carers throughout Scotland, he adds.

He points to estimates that the total number of carers in Scotland is expected to meet one million by 2020, so working carers will because more common.

Small differences around flexible working can have a huge impact, he states.

Mr Arthur says without appropriate support, carers can suffer from burnout and stress, and sometimes even leave employment.

Carers Scotland published its annual report, external on carers in November.

It found 37% of carers in Scotland who responded to the survey has given up work to care, while 23% had reduced their working hours.

Half of carers who work the same hours said their job was negatively impacted by caring.

Image source, Carers UK

SNP MSP Tom Arthur leads a member's debate on the Carer Positive Employer Initiative.

That's the end of your first FMQs of 2018.

However, don't go away as there is now a member's debate highlighting the work of carers.

Image source, Getty Images

Business confidence in Scotland is among the lowest in the UK, according to a new survey.

The Bank of Scotland's Business In Britain report, which looks at expected sales, orders and profits over the next six months, found confidence in Scotland fell slightly to 17% in July.

The proportion of Scottish firms confident about business prospects in the Brexit negotiations fell to 38%, from 49%.

Nearly half (46%) of Scottish respondents said no trade agreement with the EU would be negative for their business, with 14% believing it would be positive.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton asks the first minister what action the Scottish government is taking to improve small business confidence, in light of reports suggesting that it is at a near-record low.

The first minister points to the small business bonus scheme and a "competitive" non-domestic rates relief package.

She adds £600m will be invested in broadband and the Scottish government on course to deliver the south of Scotland enterprise agency.

Ms Hamilton says the FSB says there is an optimism gap compared to the rest of the UK.

She calls on the government to listen to small businesses.

The first minister says: "I thought we weren't allowed to make comparison between Scotland and England."

This is met by laughter and applause from her own ranks.

Tory MSP Maurice Golden raises the issue of increased incinerationg capacity plans.

Mr Golden calls for a moratorium on this.

The first minister says she will get Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse to look into this and she agrees the recycling of plastics is better.

Image source, Getty Images

Theresa May has pledged to eradicate all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042.

The commitment is part of the government's 25-year plan to improve the natural environment.

In her speech to launch the plan the prime minister said: "I think people will be shocked at how today we allow so much plastic to be produced needlessly."

But green groups are angry the proposals will have no legal force.

Read more here.

Environmentalists have backed Kate Forbes' Final Straw, external campaign.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has given its support for the call for the Scottish and UK governments to crack down on the use of straws.

The MCS said the number of straws and other single-use plastic items found on beaches and in the seas was rising.