The Culture Committee takes evidence on arts and creative organisation funding
The first minister is quizzed by opposition leaders during first minister's questions
SNP MSP Graeme Dey hosts a debate on the Scottish Stone Group
The Scottish government delivers a ministerial statement on Prestwick Airport
MSPs debate the migration needs of Scotland
Image source, Jim MailerJoanna Boyd (L) joined Bobby McGill, Duncan Ogilvie and Ann-Maree Morrison to celebrate the announcement in 2016
SNP MSP Bruce Crawford seeks an update on the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.
In 2016 Stirling Council welcomed the announcement of a City Deal for the area as a "once in a generation opportunity."
Image source, bbcEconomy Secretary Keith Brown
Economy Secretary Keith Brown says the Scottish government is committed to establish growth deals to cover all Scotland.
He urges the UK government to back the Ayrshire Growth Deal and confirms a meeting will take place shortly to discuss it.
Mr Gibson argues there has been no movement on establishing a commencement date.
Mr Brown reiterates that the Scottish government is seeking to work with the UK government.
Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks how much the Scottish government is committing to the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
We are unable to make progress until we have a commitment from the UK government, argues the cabinet secretary.
Image source, bbcAyrshire coast
According to the Cumnock Chronicle, external, doubts hang over the future of the Ayrshire Growth Deal after Chancellor Philip Hammond failed to mention it in the budget last November.
SNP MP Alan Brown said: "The big ask from a local point of view was the UK Government match the Scottish Government’s commitment to the Ayrshire Growth Deal. Never mind finance, the Ayrshire Growth Deal did not even get a mention. This is a real disappointment."
Tory MSP Brian Whittle has also vowed to help push forward the Ayrshire Growth deal.
He said: "Getting a mention of the Ayrshire Growth Deal in the Budget would have been nice, but my focus remains on getting the deal delivered."
Image source, bbcSNP MSP Kenneth Gibson
SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks about plans to take forward the Ayrshire Growth Deal, since it has not yet received UK government support.
Image source, bbcBusiness Minister Paul Wheelhouse
Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse confirms Scottish Enterprise is exploring options for the company to protect employment at the site.
Support has also been offered to employees, he says.
The owners of a chicken production plant near Glasgow have said it could close with up to 450 jobs at risk.
The 2 Sisters Group said the 55-year-old factory at Cambuslang "has significant challenges to meet the latest standards we require".
The company insisted it would look to redeploy staff to other sites if the summer closure plan goes head.
Another 450 jobs are believed to be under threat at 2 Sisters plants in Smethwick and Wolverhampton.
The company said it did not take the decision to consult over the closure of the Cambuslang plant lightly.
Image source, bbcSNP MSP Claire Haughey
SNP MSP Claire Haughey raises the recent consultation on the closure of the 2 Sisters Food Group's Cambuslang plant and asks about engagement with the firm.
Communities Minister Kevin Stewart says he is pleased the City of Edinburgh Council is creating plans to develop the area.
Scottish government officials will work collaboratively with the council to support greater connections between communities, he says.
Image source, bbcTory MSP Miles Briggs
Tory MSP Miles Briggs asks about discussions on the future regeneration of Edinburgh's waterfront.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says decisions about HMRC office location decisions remain reserved though the Scottish government believes it should be devolved.
There are "deep concerns" about the HMRC's transformation programme due to the possible impact in communities including East Kilbride, he says.
Image source, Getty ImagesAccording to the Daily Record, external, politicians representing East Kilbride believe the announcement the HMRC is leasing new premises in Glasgow may be the end of the 'Stay in EK' campaign.
The campaign - led by the Public and Commercial Services Union - has been fighting to stop UK government plans to move staff out of East Kilbride and into the city by 2026.
Plaza Tower is due to close its doors by 2021, followed by Centre 1.
An HMRC spokesman said: “We have confirmed that Centre 1 in East Kilbride will remain open for the next eight years, until 2025-26, helping HMRC transition to the Glasgow Regional Centre.
Image source, bbcSNP MSP Linda Fabiani
SNP MSP Linda Fabiani asks for a response to reports that HMRC has leased premised in Glasgow as part of its plans to end operations in East Kilbride.
Image source, BBC/Getty Images
Image source, BBC/PAGeneral questions kicks off chamber proceedings at 11.40am.
This will be followed by extensive coverage of first minister's questions at noon.
Afterwards, SNP MSP Graeme Dey uses a members' business slot to praise the Scottish Stone Group.
You'll then have time to grab your lunch before a ministerial statement on Prestwick Airport begins at 2.30pm.
MSPs will end the day with a debate on the migration needs of Scotland.
Image source, bbcSNP MPS Joan McAlpine
SNP MPS Joan McAlpine says there is real concern that the government's £4.6m uplift went to organisations that lobby MSPs but do not support artistts.
The committee convener says the goal posts were changed for touring companies and there is real concern the new touring fund has not been signed of by the Creative Scotland board.
Ms McAlpine thanks the Creative Scotland witnesses for their exteneded evidence session.
Tory MSP John Scott suggests a new funding criteria is "clamour and noise".
He says he is concerned he did not make enough noise for Ayr's Gaiety Theatre and that is why the funding decision has not been reversed.
The Gaiety is funded until September and alternative options are being considered for beyond then, Ms Archer says.
Image source, bbcGreen MSP Ross Greer asks what the timescale for the touring fund will be.
Ms Archer says her original commitment was 1 June 2018 but that might be premature.
She says grants will be in place for 1 April 2019.
Green MSP Ross Greer asks about the touring fund.
Janet Archer says it was first proposed in April 2017.
She confirms the final details have not received formal backing from the board yet.
Ross Greer presses for a specific date when it was agreed the fund would be created.
Ms Archer says Creative Scotland was not in a position to confirm this until after the draft budget.
Whether the fund will be annual or more long-term is currently being discussed.
Mr Greer says evidence suggests touring companies need more long-term certainty.
Image source, bbcCreative Scotland chief executive Janet Archer
Committee convener Joan McAlpine says there has been an unprecedented response from the sector so the committee will overrun by 10 minutes.
Creative Scotland chief executive Janet Archer says she did not discuss regular funding with the caibinet secretary in January.
Ms Archer says pressures on budgets are getting tougher.
SNP MSP Richard Lochhead asks about communication with organisations.
Janet Archer says there were regular statements about issues surrounding budgets.
"We were anticipating a much harder situation around budget cuts."
Ms Archer says Creative Scotland took care to communicate this to organisations and ensure they were aware of the potential impact.
SNP MSP Richard Lochhead
Mr Lochhead says there is a perceived disconnect between Creative Scotland and arts community.
The CEO admits that Creative Scotland may not have communicated early enough about potential cuts to regularly funded organisations.
However, she argues this was because efforts were being made to proactively make the case for arts funding.
"It felt absolutely vital that that's the work we should be doing at that time."