Mr Stewart says the rollout of Universal Credit in Renfrewshire South may lead to increased debt, hardship and rent arrears, and push people into homelessness.

He states this it was has happened in other areas where UC has been rolled out.

The Scottish government has written six times to the UK minister Esther McVey on the matter but our pleas have "fallen on deaf eyes", he adds.

SNP MSP Tom Arthur wonders about the impact of the rollout of universal credit in Renfrewshire South.

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

The report includes 29 recommendations.

A statement on this report is to be made at 2:40pm - stay tuned!

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser asks about action to tackle the recent rise in homelessness.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby asks about recent meetings with East Dunbartonshire Council.

Tory MSP Annie Wells raises the rise in homelessness among veterans and asks what support it available.

Mr Stewart praises outgoing Veterans Minister Keith Brown and points to the Scottish Veterans' Garden City Association which provided housing for veterans.

He suggests the MoD should help by providing the land and housing it has in Scotland to alleviate the problem.

Image source, bbc

Mr Stewart welcomes the fact the report recognises the government's commitment to tackle homelessness.

He welcomes the recommendations in the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group reports including the one published today.

The minister says the government is committed to taking forward the recommendations.

Image source, PA

The UK could see an end to homelessness within 10 years if the government embraces certain policies, according to the homeless charity Crisis.

In a newly-published report, external, Crisis sets out a comprehensive plan to make homelessness "a thing of the past".

It says 100,500 social homes need to be built each year for the next 15 years.

"We must not become a society that simply accepts homelessness as 'a sad fact of life'... it doesn't have to be this way," said Crisis's Jon Sparkes.

Read more.

SNP MSP Bob Doris seeks a response to the Crisis report, Everybody In: How to end homelessness in Great Britain.

Mr Stewart explains that in January the former social security secretary announced the first social isolation and loneliness strategy in the UK for consultation.

The housing minister details other support for lonely people and older people.

This is to ensure older people live their life to the fullest.

Mr Briggs asks how support can be given to fantastic third sector organisations.

The minister explains the government will continue to listen to these groups to tackle social isolation.

Mark Easton
Home editor

Image source, Getty Images

One of the biggest changes to the way we live has been the big increase in the number of people who live alone.

More than a quarter of all households in the UK contain just one person, around 7.7 million people, and this is predicted to increase by another two million over the next decade or so.

It is partly about living longer - older people whose partners have died increasingly find themselves on their own. Around 2.2 million people over 75 live alone, some 430,000 more than in 1996.

Loneliness is bad for our health. Seriously bad. Doctors have known this for decades.

Read more here.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs asks about action to reduce loneliness and social isolation among older people.

Image source, bbc

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart asks everyone to bear with him this afternoon as he is answering all the questions today due to the cabinet reshuffle.

Ms Baker calls for sufficient resources to be in place to deal with applications to the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Mr Stewart explains new Social Security and Older People Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville will look into this.

Labour MSP Claire Baker queries the number of people in Mid Scotland and Fife in receipt of support from the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Image source, Thinkstock

Portfolio questions will see communities, social security and equalities ministers in the hot seat.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart will respond the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group's report in a ministerial statement.

MSPs will then debate Prescription (Scotland) Bill for the first time. This legislation deals with efforts to get people not to dilly dally in enforcing their rights.

After that, MSPs discuss the standards committee's report on the sexual harassment complaint against Mark McDonald MSP - with a vote on the recommended sanctions at decision time.

Ending the day, SNP MSP Ash Denham celebrates the NHS at 70. Yes, you read that right - MSPs get yet another chance to discuss the health service's anniversary.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, bbc

Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing says he encountered so many MSPs at the Royal Highland Show he wondered if there was anyone in the chamber last week.

Agricultural shows are an essential part of rural life and they bring people together, says the minister.

Mr Ewing says in August he will be Chieftain of the Granton Highland Show.

The minister stresses he wants to see the government do much, much more to support agriculture.