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MSPs will now debate the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, external, starting with amendments.

View the amendments to be discussed here., external

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Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks if the minister agrees with his call to take students out of the EU immmigration figures, as they should not be part of a political battle over Brexit.

Ms Somerville says the number of funded places within Scotland is determined to allow Scotttish domiciled and EU students to get places every year.

She later agrees with Mr SCott on his call not to include EU students in immigration statistics.

Green MSP Ross Greer says Erasmus+ has been highly beneficial to many young people and wonders if the Scottish government has explored ways it could continue to participate in the programme.

The minister says she will do all she can to continue it, but it depends on what happens to freedom of movement post-Brexit.

She adds uncertainty around this is preventing progress in discussions, given the benefits of Erasmus+ are widely recognised.

Labour MSP Iain Gray welcomes all the measures announced in the statement.

He says Scottish domiciled students do not know what support is available to them as the Scottish government has not responded to the student support review.

Mr Gray asks when a response will be forthcoming.

The minister says students do know because a system is already in place.

She states the government is looking into longer-term changes, but the DWP needs to be approached to ensure social security is not negatively effective before a response to the review can be made.

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Tory MSP Liz Smith welcomes the early confirmation of free tuituion for EU students for 2019-20.

Ms Smith asks what discussions is the SG having with Universities Scotland and Derek Mackay about long term funding, given Audit Scotland warnings.

She also asks about student bursaries.

Ms Somerville says the budget for the higher education has increased by 1.9% in real terms for next year.

The minister says the independent review of student support will be reported on in due cours.

It is important to offer assistance to those students who are in need the most, the minister says.

She confirms plans to open up support to Afghan interpreters, meaning they can access financial support.

Turning to Brexit, she says it is important Scotland's reputation in education is not lost and stresses the need to protect opportunities for EU students to come to Scotland and vice versa.

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Ms Somerville says she will write to the UK government for clarity on Erasmus Plus after the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

The minister says the Scottish government wants to continue participating with Erasamus Plus.

The UK will continue to take part in the Erasmus student exchange programme until at least the end of 2020, according to the prime minister.

Erasmus+ sees students study in another European country for between three and 12 months as part of their degree.

Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville says the Scottish government is committed to Scotland remaining an open nation, central which is universities.

A diverse student population help to create a positive ethos, she says, noting it enriches the learning experience and develops an international network of alumni.

International students will remain integral to our universities, she says, before noting a recent drop in EU students applying to Scottish universities.

She attributes this to a lack of clarity around Brexit from the UK government.

The minister announces the extension of free tuition to all non-UK EU students for the year 2019-20.

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Further and Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville gives a ministerial statement on supporting people to study in Scotland.

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First up, after an all too short lunchbreak, there will be a ministerial statement entitled 'Supporting People to Study in Scotland'.

MSPs will then debate the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill for the final time.

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell pays tribute to colleague Richard Lochhead for telling the chamber about his wife's cancer journey.

She notes overall cancer mortality rates have fallen in recent years but sayings to £100m cancer strategy will help this further.

Only one in five adults in Scotland smoke and 15-year-olds who smoke is at its lowest level in decades, she notes.

The Scottish parliament has also taken measures to alter Scotland's relationship with alcohol, but the minister recognises more must be done.

Turning to food, she notes obesity is more common in deprived communities and inequality exacerbates poor health outcomes.

She agrees the food environment needs to be improved, noting it makes it difficult for consumers to make healthier choices.

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur praises Richard Lohchead for the moving testimony of his and his wife Fiona's direct experience of cancer which set the debate up so powerfully.

Mr McArthur says others in the chamber have detailed the steps that can be taken to help prevent cancer so he will focus on those who help tackle it.

He praises the work of CLAN , externalin his own constituency of Orkney, led by the "incomparable Karen Scott"

Mr McArthur praises the support CLAN gave to his father when he was diagnosed with cancer and "for that alone I am grateful beyond words".

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A new breast cancer drug has been approved for use on the NHS in Scotland.

Palbociclib, which is taken in tablet form, can halt the spread of the disease in terminal patients for up to two years.

The move offers hope to women in advanced stages of breast cancer.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC)'s approval of the drug is being described as a "wonderful decision" and "great news" for sufferers.

Read more.

SNP MSP Emma Harper says her younger sister is on a "positive path" after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Focusing on cancer patients in rural areas, she notes patients in Wigtownshire have to travel to Edinburgh to receive cancer treatment.

However, she highlights a review of referral pathways is currently under review.