Image source, PA/Scottish Parliament/BBC

That's all from Holyrood Live on 31 May 2018.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay delivered the inaugural statement on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), or Scotland's "Autumn Statement" in May!

The Scottish Fiscal Commission's forecast shows Scotland's economy is set for five more years of subdued growth.

The finance secretary blamed Austerity, Brexit and a Cap on migration - what he termed the ABC of the UK government's budgetary approach.

However the Conservative finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said the Scottish government were responsible.

Image source, bbc

MSPs unanimously pass the Housing (Amendment)(Scotland) Bill, external.

Labour MSP Mark Griffin says the Bill is vital to securing much needed homes.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson opts not to give a closing speech!

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says he was not expecting this but he will try fill up the eight minutes to decision time... and successfully manages to do so (with the help of a couple of interventions).

A SPICe briefing, external helpfully outlines the Bill's proposals:

• narrow the powers of the Regulator to appoint a manager to an RSL, and to remove, suspend and appoint officers of an RSL
• remove the need for the Regulator's consent to: the disposal of land and housing assets by an RSL; any changes to the constitution of an RSL; and the voluntary winding-up, dissolution and restructuring of an RSL, while protecting tenant's rights to be consulted about certain changes
• provide Scottish Ministers with regulation making powers to limit the influence that a local authority has over an RSL

Image source, Thinkstock

The Housing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill seeks to enable the Official for National Statistics (ONS) to reclassify registered social landlords as private sector bodies.

To do so, the Bill removed or reduces certain powers the Scottish Housing Regulator has.

In 2015, the ONS said housing associations could no longer be seen as charities or private businesses due to the intrusive nature of ministerial control over them.

This meant borrowing would count towards Scottish government borrowing limits.

Next up is the final stage debate on the Housing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, external.

There are no stage 3 amendments to be considered, meaning MSPs move straight to the general debate.

Image source, bbc

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart leads this final debate of the week.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson agrees with the minister that this is uncontroversial but essential for social housing.

Labour MSP Mark Griffin agrees and accepts "we must legislate".

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says the forecasts are "grim".

He asks for the precise cost of this.

Mr Mackay says the Budget later in the year will depend on forecasts nearer the time.

All matters will be taken into account as we approach the Budget, he explains.

The finance secretary agrees there will be difficult years ahead if we don't grow the economy, which is why, he argues, more needs to be done on issues like migration.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie begins by saying no one would expect detailed budgetary lines in the MTFS.

However Mr Harvie argues there should be scenarios for local government spending and he asks if that is because councils face more cuts.

He reiterates his call for local tax reform.

Mr Mackay insists there have been real terms increases for local government and denies the report sets out the prospect of cuts to councils.

The minister goes on to agree to look at the reform of local taxation.

Labour MSP James Kelly labels the strategy a "cuts forecast".

It will not give comfort to patients waiting for appointments, parents waiting for teachers or passengers waiting for trains throughout Scotland he says.

When will the cabinet secretary "get off the fence" and start taxing millionaires a higher rate, Mr Kelly asks.

Mr Mackay says the strategy sets out challenges "thanks to Tory austerity", but adds it also provides potential solutions.

The Scottish government tax proposals provide more money for Scotland's public service than Labour's proposals would have, Mr Mackay argues.

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political reporter

Image source, Scottish government

The SNP has published its "growth commission" report on the economics of an independent Scotland. The 354-page report runs through 50 recommendations on a range of fiscal subjects - but what are the key messages?

Click here for detailed analysis.

Image source, bbc

Mr Mackay begins with consensus, agreeing that the MTFS is welcome progress.

The finance secretary argues that the UK government continues with austerity for austerity's sake and insists £5bn could be released for Scotland if it stopped it.

He goes on to say the UK government cannot walk away from the ABC of the budget, Austerity, Brexit and Caps on immigration.

There is no evidence whatsoever the divergence in tax policy in Scotland has had a negative impact on economy, he says and argues the opposite has happened.

Mr Mackay insists it is abundantly clear the Tories have not read the growth commission.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser thanks Mr Mackay for highlighting the UK government's "success" at delivering on deficit commitments ahead of time.

Turning to the Scottish economy, Mr Fraser says the fact growth is predicted to be behind the rest of the UK cannot be blamed on Brexit because it predates it.

The Tory MSP wonders what impact the more subdued growth will have on the block grant and on public services.

He also encourages the finance secretary to reject the "super austerity" in the growth commission report.