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Tory MSP Alexander Stewart says police are battling a rise in crack cocaine in his region.

The drugs strategy is "clearly failing" the residents of Fife, he says, asking what is being put in place to combat the problem.

The first minister says the government is continuing to support police.

She disagrees with his comments on the drugs strategy, highlighting the number of adults reporting drug use is decreasing and the majority of young people have never used drugs.

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Green MSP Andy Wightman raises the case of Shahbaz Ali, 28, who was seriously hurt after being stabbed six times in Edinburgh.

A17-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a knife attack on the Syrian refugee in Edinburgh.

The first minister says Scotland must stand united at all times against all forms of racism and hate crime.

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Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks about efforts to crack down on hoax 999 calls, many of which he says are made by people with mental health issues.

The first minister points to investment in mental health professionals, but adds not everyone making hoax calls will be in that position.

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Ms Sturgeon hits back by arguing that by the end of the parliament, in partnership with local authorities, the government will have provided £1bn of funding, doubling the amount of free childcare in this country.

She says this was something Labour never did when in power.

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Mr Leonard quotes the first minister at last year's SNP conference suggesting her party would address the struggle for working families facing high childcare costs.

How does a 57% hike change that, he asks.

The Scottish Labour leader asks: "Will you stick to your word? Will you stand up for these families?"

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The Evening Times reported last week: "An increase in childcare fees is “disgraceful” and should be reversed according to a city MSP.

"Charges were raised in the council budget earlier this year from £2.54 to £4 per hour.

"Johann Lamont, Labour Glasgow MSP has written to every councillor, MSP and MP in the city asking for them to back a bid to scrap the rise,

"She said the increase is crippling the finances of many working parents in the city."

Read the Evening Times story here. , external

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Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard asks how many families will be affected by the "57% hike in childcare charges" proposed by Glasgow City Council.

Ms Sturgeon answers by saying the decision is for the council, and argues that it is working hard to double free provision for those at the bottom end of the income scale.

Mr Leonard answers his own question by saying 5,000 families will be hit by the SNP administration doubling the charges.

He cites the case of Sarah Spence, an NHS assistant practice manager, who told him that she feels like she will be forced to give up work to look after her son.

The first minister points to many constituents she has who benefit from the free provision of childcare in Glasgow.

Ms Sturgeon argues that the reforms being implemented by the SNP will save families thousands of lives.

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Nearly 5,000 people have signed a petition, external urging for Perjeta to be made available on the NHS in Scotland.

Launched by Breast Cancer now and supported by terminally ill cancer patient Jen Hardy, it seeks to highlight the benefits for Perjecter on women with HER 2-positive secondary breast cancer.

The drug can give women nearly 16 extra months of life.

Ms Hardy told the Daily Record, external earlier this week that she feels "robbed" of those 16 months of life.

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Ms Davidson says women with secondary breast cancer have a choice - they can move to England or stay in Scotland and not have access to Perjeta.

The Scottish Conservative leader asks what is taking the government so long to fix the system in order to provide access to drugs like Perjeta.

Ms Sturgeon insists there is an ongoing process for the implementation of the Montgomery reforms.

The first minister says it is important the system is reformed to ensure it works as well as it can.

She adds she hopes the process on Perjeta concludes as quickly as possible.

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Ms Davidson says the Scottish government sets the framework under which SMC decisions are made.

She says Perjeta has been available in England for more than four years.

This drug has gone back and forth to the SMC for a decision three times since 2013, the Scottish Conservative leader states.

The first minister says it is important to ensure drug companies are asking a fair price.

Without this, fewer drugs could be available overall she suggests.

Ms Sturgeon says the combined SMC acceptance rate has increased to 75% from 48% in 2012/13.

She says she wants to see as many drugs available to patients as possible, but stresses that there must be a robust approval process in place.

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Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson says a deal was done between the NHS in England and Wales with the drug company over Perjeta.

Ms Davidson asks for confirmation that the Scottish NHS would accept the same deal if it was offered.

The first miniseter says: "I would certainly hope that is the case."

Again, she points out that the decision is for the Scottish Medicines Consortium.

Ms Sturgeon also highlights a life saving cancer drug available in Scotland which she says is not available down south.

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Back in December 2016, we reported that breast cancer sufferers in Scotland have been denied routine access to a treatment which is available to patients south of the border.

The drug Perjeta can reduce the need for mastectomies among breast cancer patients.

But the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) recommended it was not routinely used by the NHS amid concerns about long-term survival benefits.

Campaigners branded the move "the ultimate postcode lottery".

The drug, which is also known as pertuzumab, can treat an aggressive type of breast cancer known as HER2-positive.

Around 15% of people diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer have HER2-positive tumours.

Read more here.

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Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson says women in Scotland who have breast cancer are not able to access Perjeta, which is available elsewhere in the UK.

The first minister says there will not be a family untouched by cancer in Scotland.

Speedy access to appropriate treatment is crucial, she says.

Ms Sturgeon says the decisions about drugs are not taken by ministers, rather they are taken by the Scottish Medicines Consortium.

She says there are ongoing discussions about Perjeta.

Raising recent IT problems at TSB, SNP MSP Christine Grahame asks the Scottish government to carry out an assessment of the impact on businesses and people who find it difficult to access or use online or telephone banking.

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Kevin Stewart says the government has always prioritised tackling fuel poverty.

The Housing Minister was turned off at source for a moment, a first for him he elucidates.

He gets the microphone back.

Mr McArthur jokes the exchange has taken an uncomfortable turn.

The minister insists the government will continue to listen to remote and island communities.

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In October 2016, we reported that a new definition of fuel poverty was needed to ensure help is targeted at those most in need, according to expert review groups.

It was one of 100 recommendations being considered by the Scottish government.

Ministers were also urged to use new devolved welfare powers and review whether the winter fuel payment is working.

The Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group, external and Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force, external reports were published alongside a Scottish government research paper on the likelihood of being "fuel poor" in rural Scotland.

Read more.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur asks about a distinct rural dimension to fuel poverty, and whether it plans to take forward all of the recommendations of the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force.