Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie seeks an update on the proposed closure of the primary care emergency service facility in St Andrews.

He asks whether the health secretary will step in if the closure goes ahead, given the strength of local views on this.

Ms Freeman says she appreciates the concerns and confirms she is being regularly updated on how Fife's health and social care partnership moves forward on the matter.

She commits to updating members over the next few weeks.

Image source, PA

In July, the Scottish government announced an extra £2m investment to encourage more mothers in Scotland to breastfeed.

Figures show that over the last year 63% of babies had been breastfed at some point, but the rate dropped to 41% at six weeks.

An NHS report published last year said breastfeeding rates were low in Scotland when compared with other countries worldwide.

The Scottish government said it is already working to reduce the drop-off rate for breastfeeding by the time babies are six to eight weeks old by 10% by 2025.

Read more.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs asks how the extra funding to support breastfeeding services has been distributed.

He says it has not be used for peer support services and requests investment in this.

Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick agrees peer support services are vital and agrees to come back to the member on the issue.

Image source, Getty Images

The number of people who died in Scotland last winter hit an 18-year high, new statistics have revealed.

There were 23,137 deaths between December 2017 and March 2018, according to the National Records of Scotland - the highest figure since 1999/2000.

It also revealed that the seasonal increase in mortality - the number of "additional" deaths in winter - was 75% greater than in 2016/17.

The main underlying causes of the deaths were influenza and pneumonia.

Read more.

Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston asks about support for those most vulnerable to the effects of winter weather.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman points to the £10m investment for health boards. The money should help introduce steps to avoid unnecessary admissions and protect elective procedures, where possible.

Once these plans are approved, they will be published she confirms.

Constitution convener Bruce Crawford turns discussion back to the first minister's comments about a no-deal Brexit looking likely.

The issues the EU and UK are still trying to resolve are fundamental so it is difficult to see how these pieces will come together, explains the first minister.

The UK could resolve many issues in one stroke by opting to remain in the single market and customs union, she adds.

The first minister urges the Commons to "assert itself" if a no-deal is to happen by putting the single market back on the table.

Asked about the mental health of children and young people, the first minister says there needs to be a shift towards preventative care.

This means promoting mental wellbeing rather than just treating mental ill-health, she explains.

Ms Sturgeon agrees it is important for services to be accessible for young people who require it, but this may not always be from specialists.

Climate change committee convener Gillian Martin asks about the recent IPCC report which set out the most extensive warning yet on the risks of rising global temperatures.

Ms Sturgeon says the bill currently going through parliament delivers on the central recommendations of the report regarding net zero emissions.

She accepts there are calls for a more ambitious approach but she argues we must ensure targets are feasible.

However, she says a review process means that as soon as 100% carbon neutrality is feasible, targets will change.

Social security committee convener Bob Doris raises Universal Credit.

The first minister describes the benefit as an "unfolding disaster" likely to bring "misery" to families across the country.

I hope the UK government will pause the roll-out, she adds.

Ms Sturgeon says sanctions, as well as being "morally dubious", are not effective and unfairly penalise people.

Constitution committee convener Bruce Crawford seeks the first minister's view on how intergovernmental relations within the UK can be improved.

This comes down to political will, replies Ms Sturgeon.

It is not necessarily the policies around intergovernmental working, as they are written down which are flawed, it is how they are applied she tells the committee.

Some in Whitehall seem to see dialogue and engagement with the devolved administrations as an "irritant", the first minister suggests.

Brexit is a real risk to human rights, the first minister insists.

If Scotland is outside the EU, we must ensure we do not fall behind EU protections, she adds.

European committee convener Joan McAlpine asks about discussions around legislative consent for an EU deal.

Ms Sturgeon expresses concern that "the prospect of a no deal is becoming ever greater".

I think no deal is the "most likely outcome", she explains.

However, the first minister says engagement around a bill should a deal be possible has been much better than it was on the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Local government committee convener James Dornan asks about contingency planning for Brexit.

The first minister confirms contingency planning is under way, but adds this has been difficult due to uncertainty.

While we will do everything we can to mitigate, it is important we are honest that we will not be able to mitigate everything she adds.

Ms Sturgeon says the government is looking into targeted work on possible labour and skills shortages for areas most likely to be hit worst, such as agriculture and hospitality.

Image source, Reuters

That's all from the constitution committee this morning, but don't go far as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon appears before the committee conveners group from 12:30pm.

The bi-annual session allows conveners to hear directly from the first minister on an array of issues impacting their respective remits.

Image source, Getty Images

The UK Agriculture Bill is a "missed opportunity" which "rides roughshod over the devolved settlement" the Scottish government has said.

The legislation was introduced at Westminster in September.

UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove said it would deliver a "green Brexit" and a "smooth and gradual transition".

But Scottish Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the bill does not deliver on promises made to farmers.

And industry leaders called for more clarity about where funding decisions would be made.

Read more.

Jonathan Hall from NFU Scotland says that discussions about the Common Agricultural Policy with the EU have always been led by Defra, since the UK is the member state.

He suggests this has led to tensions within the UK.

Having a separation between the UK government and four devolved administrations - including one for England - may be useful, Mr Hall adds.

This could give us a stronger voice in getting to the right outcome, he says.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby raises the Welsh government's proposal for a council of ministers from across the UK.

Prof Michael Keating suggests this option could provide a backstop to ensure the UK government engages, instead of having the final say as is the case now.