The Culture Committee takes evidence on the screen sector from Creative Scotland and the culture secretary
Opposition leaders and backbench MSPs quiz the first minister
Tory MSP leads a debate on Edinburgh's city bypass
MSPs quiz rural and environment ministers in portfolio questions
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay delivers the inaugural statement on the medium term financial strategy
The final stage debate of the Housing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
Mr Mackay says there is no resource budget allocation from the UK government beyond 2019-20.
The MTFS does not provide detailed budgetary allocations at this stage, he explains.
The minister says he hopes this strategy informs a responsible debate on the economy going forward.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Image source, Getty ImagesMr Mackay says the SFC's economic forecasts suggests Scotland's economy growth will be slower than the rest of the UK for the next five years.
However, once migration is stripped out economic growth is much closer he states.
He argues this demonstrates the case for a distinct model of Scottish immigration.
The SFC also expect wages will grow slower than it anticipated in its December forecast, the biggest change between the two, he says.
Turning to income tax, Mr Mackay says the SFC predict this will raise £210m in 2018-19, rising to £400m by 2022-23.
Image source, bbcMr Mackay
Mr Mackay argues his strategy sets out alternatives to austerity.
The finance secretary says his decisions seek to ensure the government manages its finances responsibly.
He insists the government will always be ambitious for Scotland no matter what happens elsewhere.
The miinister highilghts £20bn in funding in infrastructure over the lifetime of this parliament and details some of the spending plans.
He then goes on to give more detail on his budgetary plans, click here for analysis of his plans.
Image source, Getty ImagesExperts want Scotland to move to a year-round budget process
An expert review group called for a "substantial change" to the way the Scottish government sets its budget in June 2017.
A budget process review group was set up in 2016 in light of Scotland's newly devolved fiscal powers, comprising government and parliament officials and external financial experts.
They recommended a "cultural change" to a system with more of a long-term focus and more power for the parliament.
The group's final report suggests an "all year round" approach to budgeting and scrutiny, with the government publishing a medium-term financial strategy each spring and data on Scottish tax revenue each autumn.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay welcomes the opportunity to published the first MTFS, stating it is an important step in Scotland receiving more powers.
He adds that it is being published against a backdrop of austerity, Brexit uncertainty and an inhuman immigration policy.
Mr Mackay insists that "austerity is a choice" and Chancellor Philip Hammond has "fiscal headroom".
Scottish government modelling indicates the chancellor could provide Scotland with £5bn while still meeting structure deficit and debt reduction targets.
The cabinet secretary urges the chancellor to reconsider his approach.
Concern about the impact of leaving the EU is also expressed, with Mr Mackay emphasising Scotland did not vote for it.
Image source, bbcOn 14 December 2017 we reported Scotland's economy was facing "subdued" growth over the next five years, according to the Scottish Fiscal Commission, external.
The independent body predicted the Scottish economy will grow at less than 1% per year until 2022.
Its five-year forecast suggests GDP growth will be 0.7% in both 2017 and 2018, rising to 1.1% in 2022.
It said the outlook was "driven by slow productivity growth and exacerbated by demographic challenges".
The commission's economic forecasts were published alongside the Scottish government's draft budget for the first time.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will now deliver the inaugural statement on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).
What's that you ask?
Good question!
The MTFS was first proposed by the Budget Process Review Group.
It forms part of the new budget process endorsed by MSPs on Tuesday 8 May.
Image source, PA/Scottish ParliamentThe MTFS is designed to improve parliamentary scrutiny of Scottish government budgets by providing information on the sustainability of devolved public finances.
The Budget Process Review Group recommends that the MTFS:
Here's the full Budget Process Review Group report., external
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Image source, FidraPlastics found at North Queensferry
About 450,000 plastic pellets, known as "nurdles", have been found on a single beach in Fife as part of a UK-wide survey.
North Queensferry, about 12 miles from the Ineos Polymers plant where nurdles are produced, recorded the largest number, weighing 9.35kg (20.6lb).
In the marine environment, the pellets can be mistaken for food and eaten by fish and seabirds.
Ineos has previously promised to ensure "zero pellet loss".
Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour queries action being taken to reduce plastic pollution in the Firth of Forth.
Image source, Getty ImagesA government fund to support walking and cycling in Scotland is to more than double.
The Community Links Fund will make £36m available over the current financial year to develop walking and cycling paths - up from £15m last year.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said the aim was to encourage Scotland to be an "active nation".
The fund is managed by sustainable transport body Sustrans which supported more than 200 projects last year.
Tory MSP Brian Whittle inquires about how active travel informs environmental policy and climate change commitments.
Image source, Getty ImagesPlans for Scotland's first low emissions zone will not ban any single class of vehicle in its first four years of operation.
Draft plans published by Glasgow City Council reveal that only the most polluting buses will be targeted.
And it will be 2022 before they are prevented from entering the low emissions zone.
Friends of the Earth Scotland said it falls short of the SNP's pledge to create a low emissions zone by 2018.
SNP MSP Bill Kidd requests an update on the low emission zone (LEZ) in Glasgow.
SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks about the environmental impact of using wholly-recycled retread lorry tyres compared with new ones.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says good progress is being made on delivering action contained in the Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy.
A full review of the strategy will take place in 2020 and and legislation required will be considered then.