Summary

  • MSPs take evidence on petitions relating to parental consent for mental health drugs and prescribed drug dependence

  • Ministers answer general questions from MSPs

  • Party leaders quiz the first minister at FMQs

  • Tory MSP leads a debate on 100 Years of Women in the British Armed Forces

  • MSPs debate tackling social isolation and loneliness

  1. Postpublished at 12:44 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

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  2. Postpublished at 12:44 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

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  3. Background: Watchdog to probe Scottish freedom of information systempublished at 12:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    File storageImage source, Getty Images

    Concerns raised by journalists about the Scottish government's handling of freedom of information requests are to be probed by the information watchdog.

    MSPs unanimously condemned the government's performance in November and called for an independent inquiry.

    Scottish Information Commissioner Daren Fitzhenry wrote to ministers to discuss the terms of an "intervention".

    Ministers have accepted that their performance has "not been good enough" and have pledged to make improvements.

    Read more.

  4. Labour MSP raises the Get it Minuted campaignpublished at 12:43 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    monica lennonImage source, bbc

    The Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland's campaign, Get it Minuted, is raised by Labour MSP Monica Lennon.

    The first minister says the government is commited to FOIs and transparency, which leads to groans and laughter from opposition MSPs in the chamber.

    Ms Lennon says there are widespread government meetings that have not been minuted and cites the justice secretary's meeting with the former chair of the SPA.

    She calls for a commitment that all important government meetings will be minuted.

    The first minister commits to comply with the guidance to keepin minutes.

    This government has done more on this issue than ever before, she insists.

  5. Background: Isle of Man scallop fishing rules take effect despite Scottish concernspublished at 12:41 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    Scallop shellsImage source, EPA

    Rules ordering scallop boats to report catches from Manx waters to an Isle of Man port have come into force, despite the Scottish government's concerns.

    The rules were imposed over concerns about the accuracy of catch reports.

    Scotland's Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the imposition meant he had "no option" but to consider a dispute resolution process.

    Manx Fisheries Minister Geoffrey Boot said the rules had been modified to make provision for British vessels.

    Mr Ewing said the scallop industry was worth £3m annually in Scotland and his government had made it "consistently clear that these moves would breach existing fisheries agreements and would detrimentally affect Scottish fishermen".

    Read more.

  6. Tory MSP calls for an apology to the Scottish scallop fleetpublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    finlay carsonImage source, bbc

    Tory MSP Finlay Carson questions support available to the inshore fishing industry.

    The first minister highlights the Inshore Fishing Strategy.

    She says there has been a £1.5m investment to improve data collection from the inshore fishing fleet.

    Mr Carson raises concerns about the Isle of Man and protectionism around the scallop fleet.

    He calls for an apology to the Scottish scallop fleet.

    The first minister says the Scottish government have been acting on behalf of Scottish scallop fishermen.

    She says she has made it strong representations with the chief minister of the Isle of Man.

    Ms Sturgeon says she is hopeful a resolution will be found this week.

  7. Backgrund: Whisky boosts food and drink exportspublished at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    WhiskyImage source, Thinkstock

    Scotland's food and drink exports have grown by more than 10% in a year, figures in June indicated.

    Sales hit £1.2bn in the first three months of 2017, up £124m (11%) on the same period in 2016.

    Scotch whisky and Scottish salmon topped the UK export chart in the first quarter of 2017.

    Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has said the figures underlined the need for Scottish involvement in Brexit negotiations.

    He said: "Losing access will put Scottish industry at a significant disadvantage, exposing business to damaging export tariff barriers and regulatory requirements."

  8. Sturgeon says Brexit could cost £2,300 for every person in Scotlandpublished at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    richard lochheadImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Richard Lochhead asks about discussions with the UK government regarding post-Brexit customs arrangement and the impact on the Scotch whisky industry.

    Ms Sturgeon says the government is constant contact with the industry.

    She says leaving the EU will damage the economy and calls for continued membership of the single market.

    Mr Lochhead says 90% of Scotch whisky is exported and there are increasing concerns about confusion at customs posts.

    The first minister says leaving the single market is a destructive futility.

    Ms Sturgeon says Brexit could cost £2,300 for every person in Scotland.

  9. Postpublished at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

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  10. Reducing plastic on beachespublished at 12:35 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    claudia beamishImage source, bbc

    Labour MSP Claudia Beamish asks about encouraging initiatives to reduce plastic on beaches.

    The first minister points to the carrier bag charge, plans for a deposit return scheme and a ban on the plastic in cotton buds as evidence Scotland is a leader on tackling the issue.

  11. Postpublished at 12:35 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

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  12. Background: SNP slams Scots Tories over Brexit billpublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    ComomonsImage source, PA

    The SNP has accused Scottish Conservative MPs of acting as "lobby fodder" for the UK government over its Brexit bill.

    The Scottish Tories have been highly critical of delays to the UK government's timetable for amending the bill to take account of devolution.

    But all 13 Scottish Conservative MPs opposed amendments put forward by Labour in the Commons on Tuesday.

    The bill will left the Commons on Wednesday and went to the Lords.

    The Scottish and Welsh Governments have said they cannot recommend the bill is granted consent in its current form, as it would see EU responsibilities in devolved areas initially transferred to Westminster.

    This has been viewed as a power grab by critics, with the UK government previously promising to introduce changes to address such concerns during report stage in the Commons.

  13. First minister says search is on for a backbone amonst Scottish Tory MPspublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    tory benchesImage source, bcb

    SNP MSP Ivan McKee asks if the first minister has seen much evidence of the Scottish Tories fighting for the interests of Scotland since last year's general election.

    The first minister says: "No" and says she is still looking for a backbone among the Scottish Tory MPs.

    The first minister says they voted against a Labour amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill against the interests of Scotland.

  14. Postpublished at 12:33 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

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  15. Background: From The Scotsmanpublished at 12:31 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    Tenement buildingsImage source, Thinkstock

    Short term letting hosts in Edinburgh would be restricted to renting out their properties for just 90 days a year - outwith peak festival periods - under proposals put forward by industry leader AirBnB.

    The firm has laid out the recommendations it made to an expert panel created by the Scottish Government to consider policy changes affecting short-terms lettings in Scotland - suggesting a 90-day limit for landlords, but said the regulations should not include the peak periods during the Fringe in August and the Winter Festival period of December to January.

    Read more here. , external

  16. First Minister not ruling out new powers to deal with short term letspublished at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    nicola sturgeonImage source, bbc

    Mr Harvie says councils should be given powers to regulate on short term lets.

    He says there should be distinction between a home being a home or being made into a hotel.

    The housing market should operate for homes first, he says.

    Ms Sturgeon agrees Airbnb are on the expert panel, but she says so are the STUC.

    She says she is not ruling out new powers to deal with short term lets, but will wait for the report to be published shortly.

  17. Background: Holiday let owners 'should pay business rates'published at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    Homes in Edinburgh

    Homeowners who rent out their property for the Edinburgh festival season should have to pay business rates, according to a Scottish Green MSP.

    Andy Wightman said the owners of short-term lets in Edinburgh were avoiding more than £10m in taxes each year.

    The city has seen a boom in homes being rented out as holiday accommodation, particularly at festival time.

    Mr Wightman said the vast majority of these properties currently do not pay business rates.

  18. Homes First campaign and short term letspublished at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    patrick harvieImage source, bbc

    Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie highlights the work of his colleague Andy Wightman on his Homes First campaing to address short term lets in Edinburgh.

    Mr Harvie says the changes announced today by Airbnb will not address this issue.

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she understands the pressure for new controls in some parts of the country.

    Ms Sturgeon says there will shortly be report on the collaborative economy on short term lets.

  19. Another question on Bield care homespublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    johann lamontImage source, bbc

    Labour MSP Johann Lamont says she attended the Save Our Bield Campaign.

    The first minister says she won't repeat all she said to Richard Leonard and she says the health secretary is working to find solution with the company.

  20. Backround: From the Daily Recordpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2018

    A Coatbridge teenager whose mum passed away just after Christmas is desperate to find a job that will allow him to remain in his family home.

    Kyle Laird, 17, was paid off from a seasonal role last month – days before his beloved mum Tracy died suddenly, aged just 48.

    Now, as well as grieving for his mother, only child Kyle has the added worry of being able to pay the rent for the house he was brought up in.

    He’s been receiving financial help from his grandmother, and aJustGiving page, externalwhich was started by his uncle has raised more than £1000.

    Read more here., external