The first minister says the Russian security situation was discussed, as was the need for urgent work by the JMC on Brexit disagreements.

Ms Sturgeon says with political will and respect for devolution the Brexit disagreements are not insurmountable.

She says she will not recommend the EU Withdrawal Bill unless the agreements come about by agreement and the principle of consent is crucial.

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine seeks information on the first minister's meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday.

Nicola Sturgeon has said she believes the stalemate with the UK government over its Brexit bill can be resolved.

Scotland's first minister was speaking as she left talks with Prime Minister Theresa May in Downing Street.

The pair have been at loggerheads over what happens to powers in devolved areas when they return from Brussels after Brexit.

Ms Sturgeon said the differences between them were "not insignificant, but neither are they insurmountable".

She said there was a "determination" on both sides for an agreement to be reached in the coming weeks - although she stressed it was not yet certain a deal would be done.

• UK ministers want 'temporary control' of devolved areas
• What is the Brexit continuity bill?

The UK government recently proposed the "vast majority" of powers returned from the EU would go straight to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast rather than to Westminster, as its Brexit bill had initially stated.

But it would retain control in 24 areas, at least in the short term.

It says this would be necessary to avoid different parts of the UK having different rules and regulations for things like food hygiene and health and safety when it leaves the EU.

Read more.

SNP MSP John Mason says Scotland's food and drinks exports hit £6n last year and raises concerns about Brexit.

The first minister begins by celebrating the success in the sector, but says Brexit poses a risk to this through imitation and other factors and could be "hugely detrimental" to the sector.

Image source, Getty Images

A new policy which could compel reluctant rape victims to give evidence has been criticised by a charity.

Prosecutors have been reviewing the way they deal with reluctant complainers in rape cases and have produced new guidance.

But Rape Crisis Scotland said issuing warrants for the arrest of victims who do not wish to testify in court would reduce confidence in the system.

The Crown Office said it consulted with stakeholders before making the change.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale suggests the new rules compelling rape victims to give evidence in court will put people off women coming forward.

Nicola Sturgeon says she understands the concerns being raised but adds this is a matter for prosecution policy, which is in the remit of the Lord Advocate.

"The views of complainers in rape cases will still be taken extremely seriously," she says.

Steps will be taken to ensure women are given appropriate support throughout the process, including from Scottish Women's Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland.

Image source, Getty Images

A health board has been condemned after just 6% of patients suffering from chronic pain saw a specialist within the 18-week target waiting time.

Between October and December last year 235 patients had their first appointment at the pain clinic at NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

But only 14 had been waiting 18 weeks or less with 221 people waiting longer.

The health board apologised for the waiting times and said it had taken action to improve the situation.

Read more here.

Tory MSP John Scott says the pain relief services in NHS Ayrshire and Arran are failing.

The first minister says, the health secretary will look into the situation in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Image source, PA

University strikers have turned down an agreement reached by university union leaders and employers to end the pensions dispute.

It means the strike will continue - with threats to disrupt final exams and assessments in the summer term.

University staff rejected the deal as failing to address their concerns over threats to their pensions.

The university strike is in its fourth week and has meant classes being cancelled in over 60 universities.

Read more.

Labour MSP Iain Gray calls for the first minister to support the UCU strike action.

Ms Sturgeon says she has great sympathy with the situation university lecturers are in.

She says there is increasing concern about the impact on students.

The first minister urges both parties to find a solution and calls on the employers in this dispute to make further movement.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has unveiled upgraded projections for growth and predicted falling inflation and borrowing in his Spring Statement.

He claimed the UK economy had reached a turning point and there was "light at the end of the tunnel".

He ruled out an immediate end to austerity but hinted at possible spending rises in the future.

Labour accused him of "astounding complacency" in the face of the worst ever public sector funding crisis.

The chancellor resisted calls from Labour and some Tories to use the extra cash from an unexpected boost in tax receipts to ease the spending squeeze.

But he said he would "set an overall path for public spending for 2020 and beyond" in his Autumn budget, with a detailed spending review in 2019.

• Labour: Hammond's 'astounding complacency'
• Reality Check: Is the chancellor right that debt is shrinking?
• At-a-glance: The key points

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson seeks a response to the UK government's spring statement.

The first minister criticises the UK government for continuing austerity and warns the poorest household will be £700 worse off by 2022.

"The chancellor missed an opportunity to follow the Scottish government's lead on public sector pay," she adds.

Mr Rennie says the Samaratins have criticised the delayed draft suicide strategy.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader asks why people have to wait while the government gets its act together.

Ms Sturgeon does not agree with Mr Rennie's characterisation of the situation in mental health.

The first minister says in the past 10 years there has been an overall decrease of 17% in suicides in Scotland.

Image source, SPL

From the Herald...., external

"Emotional support charity Samaritans Scotland has described the Scottish Government’s draft suicide prevention plan as “very disappointing”, as ministers announced suicide ‘first aiders’ are to be provided in every workplace.

"With the last suicide prevention strategy having expired in 2016, Samaritans Scotland executive director James Jopling said much more had been expected after a two year wait for a new plan.

"James Jopling said proposals from the charity had not made it into the plan, and neither had most of the suggestions from events held with people affected by the suicide of someone close to them.

"“Our hopes were to see meaningful and better resourced commitments to address suicide, both among the general public and those we know have a much higher risk. We are very disappointed at the limits of what has been published.”"

Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie says the performance on children's mental health waiting times are at an-all time low.

Mr Rennie says two people every day are ending their lives in Scotland.

He says the performance in mental health continues to decline and he asks if the first minister has this under control.

The first minister says one suicide is one too many.

Ms Sturgeon says average waits are at 10 weeks and goes on to say the Mental Health Strategy sets out plans to tackle the issues.

Tory MSP Finlay Carson says diabetic children in his constituency are still expected to pin-prick and test, instead of using continuous glucose monitoring technology.

He urges the Scottish government to "end this postcode lottery".

Ms Sturgeon agrees that better technology can transform the lives of those with diabetes and confirms she will look into the situation in Dumfries and Galloway.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont ask why the SNP-led Glasgow City Council decided to increase childcare fees without consultation.

Ms Lamont says the decision is short sighted and unjust.

The first minister says Glasgow City Council has had an increase in its revenue and says the expansion of childcare will reduce the costs of childcare.