That concludes Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 18 January 2017.

Nicola Sturgeon defended her justice secretary over claims that he may have acted unlawfully by blocking the chief constable's return to work.

Michael Matheson has been criticised for urging police watchdogs to reconsider their decision to allow Phil Gormley to return to his duties.

Image source, bbc

BBC Scotland later revealed tha tno minutes were taken during the meeting.

But Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that Mr Matheson had acted "entirely appropriately".

The issue was raised at First Minister's Questions by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who questioned whether the justice secretary acted unlawfully over his involvement in Chief Constable Phil Gormley's period of special leave from Police Scotland.

Image source, bbc

MSPs unanimously agree to the Tory motion, but reject the Labour amendment.

It recognised the importance of local government in delivering community services that tackle loneliness, and that austerity-driven budget cuts to local authorities reduce their capacity to do this

27 MSPs backed it but 76 voted against.

The Lib Dem amendment was also agreed to unanimously, as was the SNP motion as amended.

Image source, Thinkstock

Ms Freeman thanks the many organisations who have worked so hard to get this issue on to the agenda.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon asks about those who are worried about their funding.

The social security minister says the finance sector has protected the third sector budget.

She says Scotland is the first part of the UK to publish a strategy to tackle loneliness.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman commits to following up on many of the points made by members throughout the debate.

She criticises Labour for trying to "shoe-horn" in its assertion that local government cuts put services at risk, adding the government will not support the parties amendment.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon tries to intervene but the minister refuses.

On volunteering, she notes rates have remained relatively stable among adults while youth volunteering has grown.

There is a great deal we can build on, she says.

Image source, Scottish government

A Connected Scotland: Tackling social isolation and loneliness andbuilding stronger social connections, external

The Courier reported that ministers are calling on Scots to talk to their neighbours and reconnect with old friends in the launch of the first national strategy on loneliness in the UK.

The Scottish government proposals include a plea for strangers to perform “acts of kindness” for each other and an expansion of GP prescriptions for community activities.

Launching the draft document A Connected Scotland, social security minister Jeane Freeman said the state has a role to play in improving people’s social lives.

The charity Age Scotland said the Scottish Government is right to take the bold and unusual step of “getting involved in maintaining and improving people’s social relationships”."

Read more here., external

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Miles Briggs says loneliness puts individuals at more risk of cognitive decline.

Mr Briggs says social isolation and loneliness are just as damaging to physical health.

He says Edinburh was described as the loneliest city in Scotland.

The volunteers who try to tackle this issue are praised by the Lothian MSP .

He highlights the Cosy Christmas Campaign launched by Gail Porter which called for people to send a free Vintage Vibes Christmas card to someone experiencing loneliness in Edinburgh.

Mr Briggs says he wrote his during first minister's questions, which was the most constructive FMQs he has ever experienced.

Labour MSP David Stewart notes the Jo Cox Commission's recommendation that a minister for loneliness be appointed has been accepted by the UK government.

He recalls the time he spent in his twenties working with Samaritans, where he often had to deal with loneliness and isolation.

He says his former career as a social worker was inspired by this experience.

"It's absolutely key we tackle this public health challenge head on," he says.

He notes individuals in rural areas are often most at risk, but notes this has led to many initiatives which he goes on to praise.

Volunteering plays a very important role, Mr Stewart adds.

He paraphrases Sir Water Scott in concluding by saying all that is needed to tackle the issue is the "will to do and the soul to dare".

Lib Dems MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton stands to close for his party.

He highlights a few statistics on isolation, including that half of all 75 year olds say their main company is TV or a pet.

Also mentioned is the isolation felt by children in care, which is often made worse when they have to leave their care placement upon adulthood.

Loneliness does not draw any distinction across class or age, he says.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Bob Doris praises the Monday Club in his constituency Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn and the Alive and Kicking Project.

Mr Doris says the project is an outstanding template that could be copied across the country.

He calls for more connectivity to tackle loneliness and isolation.

Image source, Getty Images

In December we reportecd that there has been a 50% increase in the number of Scots pensioners who would spend Christmas day alone since 2015.

Age Scotland, external said about 60,000 people over the age of 65 would experience the day without family or friends.

The charity said the figures represented a surge in the "epidemic" of loneliness.

They have launched their No One Should Have No One campaign to highlight the issue of isolation across the country.

Image source, Age Scotland

Age Scotland, external is the leading charity representing older people in Scotland and supporting their rights and interests.

Vision: Our vision is a Scotland where everyone can love later life.

Read more here., external

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says there is a great deal of consensus in the chamber this afternoon and she says she even agrees with Jeremy Balfour, particularly in regard to Murdo Fraser and Facebook!

The Green MSP says thriving communities cannot be built if we continue to design around the car.

She praises the benefits of the Edinburgh bus services but says other areas, like Glasgow, are not so ugly.

The Green MSP says active travel can increase social interaction.]

She says she is deeply concerned about loneliness.

Image source, Getty Images

The government should create a national strategy to combat loneliness, says a report by a commission set up by the murdered MP Jo Cox.

The commission, external, formed by the MP before she was killed in her constituency in 2016, calls for the appointment of a minister to lead action on the issue.

It says loneliness is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and affects nine million UK people.

The government says new initiatives will be announced next year.

Image source, bbc

The report acknowledges that government action alone cannot solve the problem.

However, it says: "Tackling loneliness is a generational challenge that can only be met by concerted action by everyone - governments, employers, businesses, civil society organisations, families, communities and individuals all have a role to play.

"Working together we can make a difference."

The report is calling for the Family Test, external, a measure of assessing the effect of government policies on stable families, to become a family and relationships test.

• Remembering Jo Cox: Her family one year on
• Daughter's poem wins Jo Cox contest

The report's release will coincide with the launch of three Royal Voluntary Service projects set to tackle loneliness and isolation in Mrs Cox's former constituency.

The schemes - partly financed by the Jo Cox Fund, external set up in her memory - will include lunch clubs, activities, and workshops as well as a new Community Connections Programme.

• Read more here