Image source, Getty Images

That's all from the Holyrood Live team on Wednesday 26 September 2018.

The new Scottish social security agency will be tasked with delivering assessments for disability support, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed.

Social Security Scotland, with the support for healthcare professionals, will seek to offer individuals more choice and flexibility when they undergo assessments, including offering home visits.

Audio recordings of the assessments will also become standard to boost transparency.

Ms Somerville said: "From application to award, we will provide a service that manages performance, quality and outcomes. And it is this approach that will see dignity and respect embedded throughout".

Image source, bbc

Mr Fitzpatrick says medical isotopes used for treating cancer are made outside the UK and he warns many of these cannot be stockpiled, as they decay.

The public health minister says: "It is critical they reach hospitals as quickly as possible and are not held up by customs delays."

He argues that by leaving the EU and Euratom, the UK government risks the future supply of medical isotopes to the whole of the UK.

Labour MSP David Stewart asks if the Scottish government has a contingency plan.

Mr Fitzpatrick replies: "Clearly we need to look at all the options to try to mitigate what is really bad situation."

He adds: "We are clear that the UK government is playing with the lives of those people in Scotland, and indeed those in the rest of the United Kingdom, who depend these life saving products."

He concludes saying it is time for the UK government to wake up and keep us in Euratom.

Image source, SPL

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has set out what he called "practical and proportionate" advice in case the UK leaves the EU with "no deal".

Ministers say a deal is the most likely outcome but the government has published 25 documents of guidance for people and businesses across a variety of areas, external to try to avoid the "short-term disruption" which it admits is possible if the two sides cannot reach a deal.

One set of concerns is uncertainty over nuclear research as Britain leaves the Euratom treaty which covers radioactive materials.

Whether it's nuclear fuel or radioactive isotopes for medical use, arrangements will pass into UK hands.

Operators "may" need to apply for licences for trade with the EU, the government says. And the fate of Europe's fusion research centre at Culham in Oxfordshire is addressed but left unclear.

Read more about the 'no-deal' papers.

Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick emphasises the Scottish government's preference to remain in the EU, or at least the single market.

He says robust plans must be in place to ensure continued supply of medicines, including isotopes, from the EU.

The Scottish government is preparing for all eventualities of withdrawal from the European Union, he tells the chamber.

The minister says health boards have consistently raised concerns about the impact of Brexit on the workforce and medicine supply.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald says the UK leaving Euratom carries significant medical risks.

Mr Macdonald argues there is nothing to prevent UK ministers seeking to keep many of the benefits of remaining in Euratom.

He insists the supply of radioisotopes from EU countries remains essential and securing that supply has to be a priority for the UK government.

There is a lot at stake in economic terms, as well as health terms, he concludes.

Image source, Peter Powell

Back in May, the prime minister made the strongest commitment yet to "fully associate" the UK with the EU's £68bn research programme post-Brexit.

Theresa May said the UK would be willing to make "an appropriate contribution" and in return it would expect a "suitable level of influence".

She also said that Britain would participate in R&D with the EU's nuclear body Euratom.

The announcements have been welcomed by UK scientists.

Read more.

Tory MSP Donald Cameron says a significant amount of discussion has taken place at UK level on the matter of Euratom membership.

He points to comments made by Prime Minister Theresa May that a deep science partnership with the EU should continue.

Part of the Chequers deal includes continuing sharing of information on radioactive material, he says.

Leaving Euratom will not effect the UK's ability to import medical isotopes he insists.

Image source, SPL

Euratom supports the "secure and safe supply and use of medical radioisotopes". Radioactive isotopes are essential for various types of cancer treatment but cannot be stockpiled because they decay quickly.

In the UK they are imported, often from Belgium and the Netherlands. Some experts worry that leaving the treaty will delay the delivery of drugs to patients who need them. Global demand for isotopes is rising rapidly, and many of the reactors that produce them are getting old.

The UK government's answer to this is that medical isotopes are not fissile nuclear material - that is, capable of reacting - so they are not subject to international nuclear safeguards.

Image source, bbc

Mr Stewart says there is an urgent need for a constant and reliable supply of radioisotopes.

He adds: "I am arguing today there is a clear and present danger to the NHS in Scotland and beyond."

The Labour MSP explains the scale of use is immense and it is essential in diagnosing coronary disease and detecting cancer spread to the bones.

Mr Stewart cites a saying from Capitol Hill: "If you are not at the table, you are on the menu."

He warns of the importance of this debate for cancer patients in the UK, given the shortage of radioisotopes and the UK leaving its biggest source of the isotopes by leaving the EU.

Image source, Alamy

Euratom regulates the nuclear industry across Europe, safeguarding the transport of nuclear materials, disposing of waste, and carrying out research.

A treaty established a "nuclear common market" to enable the free movement of nuclear workers and materials between member states.

The UK joined Euratom when it joined the EEC in 1973. It is a separate legal entity from the EU, but is tied up with its laws and institutions, and subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

When EU countries transport nuclear materials or trade them with other countries, Euratom sets the rules.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP David Stewart begins by saying, on the surface, this debate may seem like a surrogate for another round of Brexit speeches or a lecture on an arcane body, namely Euratom.

However the issue is very simple: "the future care of cancer patients and the security of supply of radioisotopes" Mr Stewart adds.

The UK gave notice to leave Euratom as part of the Brexit process on 30 March 2019, he explains.

He says: "Euratom is a crucial and central vehicle for the management of radioisotopes."

Mr Stewart explains there is nowhere in the UK that can currently create medical radioisotopes and the bulk of supply comes from the EU.

"We have a world shortage of medical isotopes."

Mr Stewart's motion:

• highlights the use of medical isotopes in cancer treatment
• warns about the difficulties of transport isotopes
• expresses concern about a shortage and increase in cost for medical isotopes
• urges the UK government to commit to remaining a member of Euratom

Image source, Scottish parliament

Labour MSP David Stewart will lead a debate on the impact of leaving Euratom, focusing in particular on the effect on access to medical isotopes.

Image source, bbc

MSPs unanimously agree the motion on human rights defenders.

All the other motions, including the motion on the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Amendment of Specified Authorities) Order 2018 [draft], are unanimously agreed to, too.

Labour MSP David Stewart is speaking on the motion on the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Amendment of Specified Authorities) Order 2018 [draft].

He says the consultation exercise found the majority were against the move in the order.

He seeks assurance that the new Public Health Scotland body will come under the role of the commissioner and that the commissioner will still have an advisory role around an breach of standards.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirms Public Health Scotland will be under the commissioners remit and should any issues arise in the interim period before the body is established, she will immediately seek the advice of the commissioner.

Image source, bbc

Parliamentary Business Minister Graeme Dey says the Scottish government is keen to have a debate on asylum.

He says the evictions in Glasgow have been paused pending the result of the court case.

The minister says he is happy to commit to bringing forward a debate following the October recess, pending agreement from the parliamentary bureau.

Image source, bbc

In August we reported more than £100,000 in emergency funding has been announced to help asylum seekers in Glasgow who are being threatened with eviction.

The Scottish government said the grant would provide support until all the legal options are exhausted.

Over the next six months it said the charities would be able to double their capacity to provide stable and safe accommodation for those affected.

Last weekSerco threatened to evict some of the unsuccessful applicants.

• What is the Glasgow asylum row all about?
• Read more here

Green MSP Ross Greer takes the opportunity to highlight his party has been pressing the Scottish government to raise the issue of the threat of eviction facing asylum seekers in Glasgow.

While he accepts asylum is reserved, Mr Greer states housing, education and healthcare are devolved and these are critical to supporting asylum seekers.

He hopes the Scottish government schedules a debate on the matter shortly.