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Labour MSP James Kelly says the committee's report is trying to take forward the work that has been done on equalities in the budget and to establish human rights at the core of the process.

This will benefit the community in the longer run, he inisists.

Mr Kelly says data on human rights in the budget must not just be collected, but also published.

He says the process can be simplified.

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Tory MSP Annie Wells says the draft budget has been accompanied by an equality budget statement for the last nine years.

Ms Wells says she hopes the government will take forward some of the budget review group's recommendations.

She says witnesess told the committee equality statements should look to the long term and be more proactive and less reactive.

The Tory MSP says it is vital to put equality at the forefront of the budget.

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Equalities Secretary Angela Constance says ensuring that the government incorporates tackling inequalities in the budget is a priority.

Ms Constance says the Scottish government has made advances in equality assessments.

She says: "There has been a lot of action but we are not complacent."

The equalities secretary says the finance secretary met yesterday to discuss the budget review group's recommendations and they were accepted.

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In June last year, an expert review group called for a "substantial change" to the way the Scottish government sets its budget.

A budget process review group was set up in 2016 in light of Scotland's newly devolved fiscal powers, comprising government and parliament officials and external financial experts.

They recommended a "cultural change" to a system with more of a long-term focus and more power for the parliament.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said the changes would be carefully considered.

The group's final report, external recommends an "all year round" approach to budgeting and scrutiny, with the government publishing a medium-term financial strategy each spring and data on Scottish tax revenue each autumn.

They also said parliament and its committees should have more opportunity to influence the government's plans, to improve transparency and improve public understanding and awareness of the budget.

Read more.

Ms McKelvie asks the cabinet secretary to provide some detail of the review of the 2010 Equalities Act.

She says human rights must be integrated into the budget process.

The SNP MSP says she will attend a budget human rights masterclass tomorrow morning.

She says incorporating human rights makes good business and societal sense.

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Equalities and Human Rights Committee convener Christina McKelvie welcomes the government's increase in funding for equality.

Ms McKelvie says mainstreaming has a transformative impact on equalities policy.

She says it can change the culture of an organisation and society and says it is about social cohesion and inclusion.

The SNP MSP calls on the government to outline future outcomes for mainstreaming.

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Equalities and Human Rights Committee convener Christina McKelvie says she can't help thinking that more could have been achieved since some women were given the vote 100 years ago.

"We can't afford to be complacent."

She says equalities and human rights should be the starting point of the budget process.

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The Equalities and Human Rights Committee urges the Scottish government to mainstream equalities and human rights considerations across all departmental budget spending in a report published in December.

Looking Ahead to the Scottish Government's Draft Budget 2018-19: Making the Most of Equalities and Human Rights Levers, external said the government could demonstrate to other organisations that incorporating human rights and meeting people’s needs makes good business and social sense.

The committee also expressed concern that the pace of progress on human rights budgeting had slowed in recent years.

Committee convener Christina McKelvie said: "Implementing a national framework for human rights based budgeting would keep Scotland leading in this field."

Equalities and Human Rights Committtee Convener Christina McKelvie begins a debate on the budget and equalities and human rights.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell asks if the Scottish government is leading a race to the bottom on animal welfare.

The minister says: "That's complete nonsense."

He says the UK government's proposals are completely unclear.

Mr Ewing says most animals should be slaughtered as close to the farm as possible.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says Mr Gove is reported to want to see a ban on live exports from the UK.

Mr Ewing says the question is what is he proposing and accuse Mr Gove of being unclear.

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Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing says the Scottish government is committed to animal welfare.

Mr Ewing says the Scottish government wishes to continue to adhere to EU welfare standards.

Ms Grahame asks whey the cabinet secretary thinks better returns are made by live exports, quite apart from the issue of animal welfare.

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Mr Ewing says he does not agree with that and details tthe animal welfare rules that must be strictly followed.

Ms Grahame asks the cabinet secretary to reconsider a consultation on banning live animal exports

"I hate by default to become a fan of Michael Gove."

Mr Ewing does not agree to reconsider a consultation.

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A ban on live animal exports would cause "substantial harm" to Scotland's livestock sector, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has said.

The UK government is understood to be considering ending the export of live animals for slaughter, and will launch a consultation in the spring.

Mr Ewing said Scotland would "not be participating" in any such scheme.

Currently, live animal exports from Britain and Europe are controlled by an EU regulation.

If the UK wanted to put further restrictions on live animal exports, it could do so while it is still in the EU.

But if it wanted to fully ban them, it would not be allowed to do so under the current EU single market rules.

• Ban on live animal exports considered
• European live animal trade raises major welfare concerns
• Reality Check: Brexit and animal welfare

SNP MSP Christine Grahame asks the government for what reason it does not support a ban on the export of live animals.

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Tory MSP Liz Smith says the real focus should be talking to youngsters at pre-application for university stage.

The minister say Liz Smith is very correct to point to the work that needs to be done long before they sit down with an application form.

Mr Gray asks when the government will respond to the review and says "in due course" is not a good enough answer.

Ms Somervielle says: "Well the government will respond in due course to the review."

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All college and university students should have an income of at least £8,100 a year, according to an independent review of student finance.

The report, external, commissioned by the Scottish government, also recommended changes to the student loan system.

The £8,100 figure would be a mix of loans and bursaries determined by personal circumstances.

Student leaders said "serious investment" was needed to change the "broken" support system.

The Scottish government said it would take time to consider the recommendations and set out its next steps "in due course".

Read more here.