Image source, Tory MSP Liam Kerr

Mr Kerr asks how a family must feel to see the murderer of their daughter free on the streets.

He says this is not right and he calls for greater use of exclusion zones to protect victims.

The MSP reiterates his backing for Michelle's Law.

He says Humza Yousaf has already shown willingness to listen and he goes on to argue the campaign is a simple desire to tip the balance in favour of victims.

He points to the three asks of the Michelle's Law campaign:

1. toughening the victim notification scheme and allowing victims to make representations when release is being considered
2. for the rights of victims and their families to be explicitly taken into account when temporary release is granted
3. for exclusion zones to be more extensively used

Mr Kerr's motion backs calls for the introduction of 'Michelle's Law' which seeks to strengthen victims’ rights

This specifically includes the rights of victims being considered paramount in matters relating to temporary release from prison and parole and that they and their families should be able to make representations in person to those deciding to release criminals from jail.

Image source, PA

It says exclusion zones for released offenders are an under-utilised power that could alleviate the distress faced by victims and their families.

Last month Mr Kerr said Kerr said the "tragedy" of Michelle's death for her family had been "compounded by the lack of consideration given to them by the system".

He added: "Our justice system must always put victims at its heart, treat families with care and dignity and make sure that the needs of the victim and their families are always considered first, not the perpetrator."

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Tory MSP Liam Kerr says "we have lost focus on the victims" of crime.

He welcomes Michelle Stewart's family and the Carson family to the public gallery.

Today we are hear to ask why killers like John Wilson get out of prison only nine years into their twelve year sentence, Mr Kerr says.

He says this is unacceptable.

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Image source, COLLECT

Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Liam Kerr will now lead a member's debate calling for the introduction of 'Michelle's Law', calling for more rights for victims and their families.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has pledged to look at how victims' rights could be strengthened after meeting the family of a teenage girl who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend.

The family of Michelle Stewart met Scotland's justice secretary to discuss their campaign to strengthen the rights of victims of crime.

Ms Stewart, 17, was stabbed to death near her home in Ayrshire by her ex-boyfriend John Wilson in 2008.

Wilson was given a sentence of at least 12 years, but could be approved temporary release after only nine.

Read more here.

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Nicola Sturgeon says in the first year of the assessments there was a completion rate of 94% and she points to enhancements that will be brought into the standardised assessments in response to concerns that have been raised.

When the parliament votes to stop the testing of four and five year olds, will the government respect that decision? Mr Scott asks.

Ms Sturgeon calls for calm on this issue and says the assessments provide important diagnostic information to provide extra help.

These are not high stakes tests and there is no pass or fail, she says.

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Education Secretary John Swinney yesterday insisted the government is "committed" to assessments for P1 pupils despite fresh opposition calls to scrap them.

The tests were introduced a year ago in a bid to collect more data on pupils to help inform teachers about progress.

All of Holyrood's opposition parties oppose tests for the youngest pupils, and want to put this to a vote.

But Mr Swinney said the tests were "vital" in making sure issues pupils might have were addressed "pronto".

Read more.

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Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks about further changes to standardised assessments on P1 pupils, in light of the comment by the EIS that the recent review's recommendations "will do little to allay the very serious concerns held by many teachers".

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The first minister explains the drug and alcohol strategy will be published in the autumn and says over £70m will be allocated to drug and alcohol partnerships.

Ms Marra says drug treatment can reduce deaths and points out 80% of people are treated in some European countries, but in Scotland it is only 40%.

She asks what will be done to increase treatment rates and reduce drug deaths.

The first minister says drug and alcohol treatment waiting times are greatly reduced.

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Drug deaths in Scotland hit a new record high in 2017, having more than doubled in a decade.

Figures from the National Records of Scotland showed that 934 drug-related deaths were recorded in 2017.

This is the largest number since the figures started being collated in 1996, and more than double the 2007 total.

The Scottish government is drawing up a new drugs strategy, saying that "each of these untimely deaths is a tragedy".

Read more.

Labour MSP Jenny Marra seeks a response to the rising number of drug deaths.

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A charity working with stroke patients has said a procedure which could transform their treatment should be more widely used in Scotland.

A stroke thrombectomy has the potential to reduce the harm done by a stroke.

The procedure was carried out 13 times in Scotland last year. Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) said up to 600 patients could have benefitted.

The Scottish government said it was developing a national plan for the procedure.

The only Scottish hospital carrying out stroke thrombectomies is Edinburgh's Western General.

Read more.

Mr Briggs explains the procedure has been withdrawn from NHS Lothian and asks for a deadline to be set for a national thrombectomy service to be introduced in Scotland.

The first minister asks that the advisory group to be allowed to report and pledges to update Mr Briggs.

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Tory MSP Miles Briggs asks about calls by Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland to increase the use of thrombectomy procedures.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon raises the case of Luke Henderson, who took his own life after repeatedly seeking help.

The mental health minister will be willing to meet Mr Henderson's family and any lessons will be learned, Ms Sturgeon says.

The first minister highlights the suicide prevention plan published in the summer.

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Ms Sturgeon says a package of measures to encourage the mental wellbeing of young people were set out in the programme for government with £250m of investment.

This will go to services like counsellors in schools, she explains.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole Hamilton highlights the worst ever waiting time statistics for child mental health services that were published earlier this week and welcomes the investment announced in the programme for government.

The first minister says she will not shy away from the figures but adds they show increased demand.

Image source, Getty Images

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged an extra £250m for mental health services as she announced her plans for the coming year at Holyrood.

Ms Sturgeon set out details of 12 new bills in her "programme for government" as MSPs returned from summer recess.

Mental health support for young people and increased capital investment were among the key measures announced.

Opposition parties said the government was being too timid, and had failed to follow through on previous promises.

Her speech came on the same day as new figures showed Scotland had recorded its worst ever performance on child and adolescent mental health waiting times.

Read more.

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SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor asks about efforts to support the mental health of young people.

SNP MSP Emma Harper raises the issue of Scottish exports and their "untapped potential".

The first minister stresses the need to stay in the EU single market after Brexit.