Labour MSP Pauline McNeill praises the incredible work done by the action group.

The Labour MSP says this is the fourth year in a row that the number of children living in temporary accommodation has risen by 9%.

Homelessness applications are up by 1% contrary to what the minister said, she says.

The issue of homelessness must be a priority of the poverty and public health agendas and be brought by the new health secretary at the cabinet table.

She welcomes the £21m announced today but asks how the minister will ensure rest of the recommendations.

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Mr Stewart points out homelessness applications have fallen by 39% in the last decade, but accepts it is unfortunate there has been that 1% rise.

He says: "I share her belief that no children should be sleeping in unsuitable temporary accommodation."

That's whey the time allowed to be in unsuitable temporary accommodation has been reduced from 14 days to seven days for families and pregnant women he explains.

"I do not want to seen anyone in unsuitable temporary accommodation."

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The number of applications for homelessness status in Scotland has gone up for the first time nine years, according to official figures.

Applications to local authorities rose by 1% to 34,972 between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018, the Scottish government said.

It follows an eight-year decline from a peak of 57,672 in 2008-2009.

The Scottish government said it was committed to ending homelessness and rough sleeping for good.

The annual figures also show, external that during the same period, the number of households living in temporary accommodation has risen at the same rate.

Read more.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson describes today's statement as "woolly", with "nothing concrete" about how the Scottish government will take forward the recommendations.

"No bricks and mortar to help the homeless."

How does the minister plan to role out Housing First across Scotland, asks the Tory MSP.

And are there any specific announcements on support for the most vulnerable people, such as those leaving prison or care.

A ten minute statement does not allow for a complete response to all the recommendations responds Mr Stewart but he refers the member to the £21m announced today.

The minister also says he has had numerous meetings with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure the right approach, including getting service provision aligned for the most vulnerable.

The government is investing £3bn to deliver more affordable homes, he adds.

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Mr Stewart explains the UK government's welfare changes are making life harder for so many people across this country.

He argues this will push more people into crisis.

It is vital therefore to work in partnership with all local authorities, the minister adds.

He says: "Can we end homelessness in Scotland? Aye we can."

Mr Stewart adds we need a system that addresses homelessness in the location it occurs.

"I look forward to ending homelessness and rough sleeping for good in our country."

Rapid rehousing should be the default position rather than just offering temporary housing, Mr Stewart states.

For those that do require temporary accommodation, their time there should be as short as possible he adds.

The Scottish government accepts the recommendations of Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, the minister confirms.

We have already begun work to take these forward, he adds.

Image source, Scottish government

Mr Stewart highlights the final report from the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, external, published today.

The report includes 29 recommendations.

These include for Rapid Re-housing Transition Plan to include equalities impact assessments and for Personal Housing Plans to be "sensitive to all forms of inequality".

The group also suggests social security must offer support to households to avoid homeless and to exit homelessness as quickly as possible.

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Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says: "Everyone needs a safe warm settled place they call home."

Mr Stewart adds it is not acceptable people are rough sleeping or spending too much time in temporary accommodation.

He says the impact of homelessness is devastating.

That's why the Scottish government launched the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group.

Their latest report was published today.

"I believe that we can end homelessness in Scotland."

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Up to £21 million of government cash is to be invested in trying to ensure homeless Scots get a permanent place to stay more quickly.

The Scottish govenrment has announced money for the "housing first" approach as an expert group - set up by ministers to look at how to tackle homelessness - made its final recommendations.

As part of that, the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group report, external called for the benefits cap to be scrapped along with an end to the freeze on welfare payments to ensure people are no longer "forced into destitution".

The group stressed that "homelessness does not exist in a vacuum in Scotland, or anywhere else".

It recommended the benefit changes and said these would particularly help younger, single people who were "particularly vulnerable" to end up on the streets.

The funding from the Scottish Government is part of £50 million already pledged by ministers towards ending homelessness.

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Housing Minister Kevin Stewart will now deliver a statement on ending homelessness and the final report from the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group.

Mr Harvie refers to the Bracadale review, asking what can be done short of introducing a new aggravation.

The minister says he will not pre-empt the Scottish government's reponse to Bracadale.

However, he insists the government has a zero-tolerance response to hate crime.

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The belief that Scotland is more welcoming to immigrants than the rest of the UK is a "misleading fantasy", the authors of a new book have claimed.

The academics behind the book point to discrimination against Irish Catholics over the past 200 years as evidence.

And they argue that similar discrimination is continuing against eastern Europeans, gypsy/travellers, Muslims and other ethnic groups.

The authors of No Problem Here: Understanding Racism in Scotland claim black and minority ethnic (BAME) applicants for large public sector organisations had a 1.1% chance of being appointed, compared to 8.1% for their white counterparts.

Read more.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie asks about action to tackle discrimination and prejudice based on immigration status.

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Labour MSP Jenny Marra raises a point of order that there will not be a vote on ministerial appointments until tomorrow.

Ms Marra points out the front bench is short of the cabinet secretary for this portfolio.

She asks if it would be more respectable to parliament that the ministers turn up to answer questions.

Presiding Officer points out that is for the government and notes Mr Stewart did ask everyone to bear with him at the start.

Mr Stewart confirms the hate crime action group is currently looking it how to increase reporting of these issue.

Lord Bracadale's recommendations are also being considered by the Scottish government, he adds.

Mr Wells provides figures on rising hate crime incidents.

This is partly due to improvements to reporting rates but we must not be complacent about this, responds the minister.

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The level of hate crime against people with disabilities rose by 51% in the past year, according to new figures.

A report from the Crown Office said there were 284 charges aggravated by disability prejudice in 2017-18.

Racially-aggravated incidents remained the most common form of hate crime in Scotland over the period, with 3,249 charges filed.

However, the rate fell by 4% compared to 2016-2017 and reached its lowest level for 15 years.

Read more.

Tory MSP Annie Wells inquires about action to tackle hate crime.

SNP MSP Linda Fabiani asks when the next meeting with UK government ministers responsible for social security will be.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks how many affordable homes are planned with local housing associations in Inverclyde by 2021.