Summary

  • The Standards Committee takes evidence on sexual harassment at the Scottish Parliament from representatives of all five political parties

  • Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed during first minister's questions

  • Tory MSP leads debate on protecting greenbelt land

  • MSPs participate in a debate to mark International Women's Day

  1. SYT closure a 'slap in the face and a kick in the teeth'published at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    sandra whiteImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Sandra White also expresses concerns about the future of the Scottish Youth Theatre.

    Ms White says the closure of the SYT in July would be a "slap in the face and a kick in the teeth".

    The first minister reiterates her point that the culture secretary will meet with the SYT.

  2. First minister says Scottish Youth Theatre does 'fantastic work'published at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    nicola sturgeonImage source, bbc

    Mr Harvie says Creative Scotland have come into serious crticism this year over funding issues.

    He says he accepts the government cannot tell them who to fund.

    But he says the Scottish Youth Theatre deserve some good news about their future.

    "It would be appallling if we stand by and see their doors close this year."

    The first minister says she has a great deal of sympathy with that and that the Scottish Youth Theatre does fantastic work.

  3. Postpublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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  4. Postpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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  5. Background: Creative Scotland boss 'profoundly sorry' over funding rowpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    Janet Archer
    Image caption,

    Janet Archer told MSPs that there would be a "root and branch review" of funding mechanisms

    The boss of Creative Scotland has told MSPs she is "profoundly sorry" about a row over funding for arts groups.

    The organisation was heavily criticised over recent funding decisions, which saw board members resign in protest.

    Support to five groups was subsequently reinstated, but there were calls for the group to overhaul its processes.

    Chief executive Janet Archer told Holyrood's culture committee that lessons would be learned, saying that "we can't let this happen again".

    She said there would be a "root and branch review" of how funding decisions are taken.

    Read more here.

  6. Background: Scottish Youth Theatre to cease trading in Julypublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    PerformanceImage source, Scottish Youth Theatre

    The Scottish Youth Theatre is to close this summer after it failed to secure regular funding from Creative Scotland.

    Founded 41 years ago, the SYT helped shape the careers of stars including Gerard Butler and Karen Gillan.

    But patrons have now been informed the funding gap for 2018-21 represents a third of its required income.

    Creative Scotland said it was "disappointed" by the decision and that it was "fully committed to supporting access to creativity for young people".

    Read more here.

  7. 'Are we really going to let the Scottish Youth Theatre close?'published at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    patrick harvieImage source, bbc

    Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie says a constituent of his, Kirsty, wrote to him about the amazing opportunity she had at the Scottish Youth Theatre.

    Mr Harvie says: "In this year is the Year of Young People, are we really going to let the Scottish Youth Theatre close?"

    Ms Sturgeon says these decisions are for Creative Scotland and, in law, the Scottish goverment can not be involved.

    The first minister says she has asked the culture secretary to meet with the Scottish Youth Theatre about this issue.

  8. Postpublished at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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  9. Postpublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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  10. Background: NHS Tayside finance chief retires amid funding gappublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    Audit Scotland said NHS Tayside had continued to experience "significant financial issues"Image source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Audit Scotland said NHS Tayside had continued to experience "significant financial issues"

    The finance director of NHS Tayside is to retire as it is revealed the health board's funding gap is widening.

    The board received a £33m "brokerage" loan from the Scottish government last year and was due to receive a further £4m before 1 April.

    The Scottish government was informed on Wednesday that NHS Tayside's finances were likely to deteriorate further.

    It was also told the Tayside director of finance Lindsay Bedford has decided to retire and will not return.

    Read more here.

  11. Retirement of NHS Tayside finance chiefpublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    jenny marraImage source, bbc

    Labour MSP Jenny Marra raises the retirement of the finance director of NHS Tayside amid concerns around a funding gap.

    The first minister says this is an issue about the way in which NHS Tayside has recorded its accounts.

    The Scottish government has commissioned an independent external review which will report back in two weeks, she adds.

  12. Background: Anger in Gairloch at waste water 'downgrading'published at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    Gairloch

    Villagers in Gairloch are campaigning against what they describe as a planned downgrading of the community's waste water treatment plant.

    Scottish Water has proposed using an ultra-violet filtration system on sewage for five months of the year.

    Outside of the bathing season, waste water would be treated in settling tanks before being discharged.

    Campaigners say the preferred UV system would not be used all year for the sake of saving "a few thousand pounds".

    Read more here.

  13. Gairloch sewage treatment plant decision raisedpublished at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    rhoda grantImage source, bbc

    Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says she has been inundated by constituents in Gairloch concerned about Sepa's decision to approve a new sewage treatment plant.

    The first minister says ministers are considerting whether to call this decison in.

  14. UC payments can be delivered in a different way in Scotland says Leonardpublished at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    richard leonardImage source, bbc

    Richard Leonard says the roll out of UC has been a shambles, but Holyrood has the chance to build a fundamentally fairer society.

    The Scottish Labour leader says payments can be delivered in a different way in Scotland.

    "There are too many women experiencing domestic abuse, where the abuser holds the purse strings."

    He again calls for split payments to address this.

    The first minister says there are complexities with UC where the Scottish government has limited powers.

    Ms Sturgeon says the issue of split payments is being explored by the government.

    She says on International Women's Day the rape clause is still in place, an "absolute obscenity", due to the Westminster government.

  15. Background: Benefits system overhaul as Universal Credit is introducedpublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    Media caption,

    Benefits system overhaul as Universal Credit is introduced

    The way that benefits are paid in the UK is currently undergoing a complete overhaul.

    Since the 1980s, anyone needing help has been able to claim from six means tested benefits, but they are being rolled into a single benefit called Universal Credit.

    BBC reporter Ben Moore has been travelling around the UK meeting those who are on the front line of the change, and hearing from those who have experienced problems with the system.

    By 2022, more than seven million households are scheduled to receive universal credit.

  16. Postpublished at 12:16 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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  17. First minister concedes splitting UC payments worthy of considerationpublished at 12:14 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    nicola sturgeonImage source, bbc

    Mr Leonard says child benefit is usually paid directly to the mother and is more likely to be spent on the children.

    He says Universal Credit should be automatically split between both partners in a relationship.

    The Scottish Labour leader says SNP MSPs voted against split payments in the Social Security Bill.

    Ms Sturgeon say modifications have already been made to how UC is paid.

    The first minister says splitting the payments is worthy of further consideration.

    She points out we do not have full power over UC in Scotland.

  18. Postpublished at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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  19. Postpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

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  20. Background: Scottish child poverty report backs new and top-up benefitspublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2018

    Child playing in deprived areaImage source, Getty Images

    Increasing key benefits could help to reduce child poverty in Scotland, a major report has said.

    Scotland's Poverty and Inequality Commission, external made 40 recommendations including topping up the child element of Universal Credit.

    It added that the ambitious target of cutting child poverty by 100,000 would incur "substantial costs".

    Equalities Secretary Angela Constance welcomed the report saying a "delivery plan" would be presented soon.

    Read more here.