Anonymity of rape complainerspublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Green MSP John Finnie asks how the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service ensures that the anonymity of rape complainers is protected during and subsequent to trial.
Summary
The Finance Committee takes evidence on economic forecasts and the government's financial strategy from the Scottish Fiscal Commission and then Derek Mackay
Culture and justice ministers face portfolio questions
The Bill pardoning gay men convicted of same-sex offences is passed
MSPs debate the Citizen Girl campaign
Anonymity of rape complainerspublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Matheson accepts challenges recruiting police officers in north eastpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Image source, bbcImage caption, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson
Ms Martin asks how policing is being made an attractive career proposition.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson accepts there have been a number of challenges in the north east.
The minister explains police officer pay for new recruits into Police Scotland is the highest in the UK.
Tory MSP Liam Kerr says anti-social behaviour in the north east has sky rocketed and asks if this is linked to fewer officers on the beat.
Mr Matheson argues this is simplistic and calls on the member to be realistic in encouraging local authorities to tackle anti-social behaviour.
North East Division of Police Scotlandpublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
SNP MSP Gillian Martin inquires about the last meetings with the Divisional Commander for the North East Division of Police Scotland.
Justice ministers face questionspublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Image source, PA/Getty Images/BBCBackground: Sturgeon takes Brexit concerns to Brusselspublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Image source, ReutersNicola Sturgeon has raised Scottish concerns over Brexit in a meeting with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier.
The first minister said they held a "constructive and positive discussion" during her trip to Brussels.
She said she told Mr Barnier that the Scottish government believed the UK should remain within the customs union and single market after leaving the EU.
And she emphasised her "strong view" that "time is running out for the UK" to strike a deal over Brexit.
Speed of EU Withdrawal Bill debate criticisespublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
The minister says Michel Barnier indicated an openness to Scotland's views while the first minister reiterated the Scottish government's belief that it wishes to remain in the single market.
Ms Denham criticises the fact the the EU Withdrawal Bill is to be debated in a single day.
EU negotiationspublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
SNP MSP Ash Denham requests an update on negotiations with the EU, following the first minister’s recent meeting with Michel Barnier.
Concerns raised over flights from Tel Aviv to Edinburgh discriminationpublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Mr Allan says the government will take over 120 actions over the course of parliament to help ethnic minorities.
Mr McKee higilghts Israeli airline flights from Edinburgh to Tel Aviv, with Palestinians living in the West Bank are not being allowed to fly through Ben Gurion airport.
The international development minister says the Scottish government's views on this are well known and shared across the chamber.
Discrimination in culture and tourism sectorspublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
SNP MSP Ivan McKee asks about organisations in the culture and tourism industries that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity operating in Scotland.
Create 18 fund highlighted by ministerpublished at 14:15 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Mr Allan points to the Create 18 fund, which supports community groups in working with young people.
He also refers to efforts to include more young people in local decision making.
Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur calls for help for the Orkney Youth Cafe.
The minister pledges to have officials meet the Orkney MSP to discuss the matter.
Year of Young People legacypublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
SNP MSP Clare Haughey asks about support for community groups to ensure that they leave a cultural legacy from their Year of Young People activities.
Call for Scotland's screen unit to be 'stand alone' outwith Creative Scotlandpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Image source, bbcImage caption, Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott
Mr Allan says the screen sector has been backed with an additional £10m in funding this year and highlights the forthcoming screen unit within Creative Scotland.
Mr Scott tells the minister the screen unit should be separate stand alone organisation, as agreed by the Culture Committee.
The minsiter does not agree with the Lib Dem MSP on the need for a stand alone organisation.
Background: Is Glasgow's TV industry thriving?published at 14:11 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Image source, Getty ImagesAs Glasgow makes the shortlist for Channel 4's new headquarters, we take a look at the state of the TV sector in Glasgow - and across Scotland.
It is one of seven UK cities that now is being considered for the broadcaster's national HQ.
Channel 4 wants to move 300 jobs out of London to three regional hubs, the largest of which would be its headquarters.
If Glasgow is successful, it would be a huge boost to the industry north of the border.
Promotion of Scotland for TV and filmpublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks whether the promotion of Scotland as a destination for film, television and other productions is best achieved through Creative Scotland.
Signposting raised by south of Scotland MSPspublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Image caption, Tory MSP Oliver Mundell
International Development and Europe Minister Alasdair Allan points to range a funding for the region.
Mr Mundell urges Transport Scotland to reconsider its decision on brown signs, suggesting it is confusing.
The minister assures the member that he will ask Transport Scotland to look into this.
SNP MSP Emma Harper expresses concern about a lack of signs between Glasgow and Carlisle, a point which Mr Allan sympathises with.
Tourism around the M74published at 14:09 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Tory MSP Oliver Mundell asks how tourism is promoted in areas served by the M74.
Alasdair Allan congratulates retiring head of Sistema Scotlandpublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Image source, bbcImage caption, Richard Holloway said he was "extremely sad" to be retiring
SNP MSP Bruce Crawford calls on the minister to wish Richard Holloway, the founder and chairman of children's orchestra charity Sistema Scotland, well on his retiral.
Richard Holloway, who is 85 in November, said watching the charity's achievements had been "the greatest privilege" of his life.
Sistema Scotland's Big Noise projects run in Stirling, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.
The first Big Noise project started in Raploch, Stirling in 2008.
Europe Minister Alasdair Allan says certainly does deserve congratulation for his vision and drive.
Sistema Scotland has been a huge success, says Mr Allan.
Image source, Sistema ScotlandImage caption, Big Noise Raploch recently celebrated its 10th birthday
Minister defends council budgetspublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Image caption, Minister for International Development and Europe Alasdair Allan
International Development and Europe Minister Alasdair Allan says the culture budget has increased by almost 10%.
He says the Scottish government is encouraging participation in music, but local authorities are responsible for funding schools.
Mr Allan says councils' financial settlement has increased and he expresses concerns about some decisions to remove free music tuition.
Mr Gray responds that council budgets have fallen by 7% and he urges the Scottish government to provide central funding to deliverable free instrumental tuition.
The minister says the Scottish government's budget has been cut by the UK government by 7% since 2010-11, but "despite that" councils are receiving a real-terms increase in the share of the budget.
Background: Free music lessons face ‘death by 1,000 cuts'published at 14:01 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Image source, ThinkstockAccording to The Scotsman, external:
"A Holyrood move to change the law and ensure all pupils in Scottish state schools have the right to free music tuition has been launched.
"MSPs have been told there is a “groundswell” of support among parents and communities for instrument lessons, amid concerns over soaring fees and cuts to music teacher numbers.
"Music tuition in schools is facing “death by a thousand cuts”, a Holyrood petition warns, with the most recent reductions having left its future at a “tipping point”.
"Paolo Nutini, Nicola Benedetti and Dame Evelyn Glennie are among the Scottish musicians who have voiced concerns."
Music tuition in schoolspublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 6 June 2018
Labour MSP Iain Gray asks about the impact on the development and promotion of Scotland's culture of the reported reduction in funding for music tuition in schools.