That's all from Holyrood Live on Thursday 25 October 2018.

An independent review is to be carried out into whether standardised assessments should continue to given to Scotland's P1 pupils.

Education Secretary John Swinney continues to defend the tests, but said the "independent, evidence-led review" would determine their future.

Opposition parties accused Mr Swinney of "defying" the will of parliament.

MSPs voted for ministers to "halt" the tests earlier this year after criticism from some parents and teachers.

International Development Minister Ben Macpherson says a collaborative and supportive approach to international development is the way forward, saying we “need to achieve more together”.

Labour MSP Claire Baker says despite Scotland's record, "we can and must do more".

She says the opportunity and imperative to do more on climate change has arrived.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart praises the Scottish government's international work, particularly its partnership with Malawi.

Green MSP Ross Greer argues climate justice is crucial to international development efforts and highlights the majority of oil and gas must remain untouched if climate targets are to be met.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur commends the Scottish government but expresses concern about a recent decline in engagement with Malawi.

Image source, Scotland Malawi Partnership

MSPs are now debating the Scottish government's first contribution to the UN development report.

Read the report in full here., external

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser warns that SNP MPs voting against a Brexit deal would effectively be a vote for a no deal.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay asks for more detail on Scottish government plans for a no deal scenario, though he agrees with the minister that it should be avoided.

Mr Russell confirms individual cabinet secretaries are engaging with various stakeholders to confront issues in their areas and says he will outline more when he is able to.

He says the UK is headed towards a no deal not because of the SNP, not because of Labour, but because of the Conservatives.

Scotland deserved a plan to protect jobs, rights and living standards Mr Russell says.

The issues which remain can be resolved by the UK staying in the single market and customs union, he insists.

There is no reason why these proposals cannot be accepted quickly but, if required, the UK government should ask for an extension to article 50, says the Brexit secretary.

Mr Russell confirms the Scottish government will reject any option short of staying in the single market.

Image source, Brexit Secretary Michael Russell

Brexit Secretary Michael Russell is updating parliament on the exit negotiations.

He says he is "no longer confident" that the UK government is working towards a plan, suggesting UK ministers are incapable of creating a withdrawal agreement.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says the McClelland case was a "catastrophic failure of the justice system to protect the public".

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson says the "multiple failings" leading to Craig McClelland's murder point to wider issues in the system.

The justice secretary says someone being unlawfully at large must be a greater priority and adds he is confident the recommendations will do that.

"I intend to take immediate action," said Mr Yousaf, and confirms the Scottish government is accepting all of the recommendations in the review.

Specifically, he says the risk assessment process will be strengthened and the Scottish government will consider ensuring no one with a history of knife crime will be eligible for HDC.

The assessment criteria for HDC will also be improved, he adds.

The justice secretary confirms efforts will be made by Police Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service to improve consistency of documentation for HDC.

He says all these efforts will improve guidance, streamline communications and establish clear cross-border arrangements.

Below is John Swinney's full statement on P1 assessments, which includes his announcement that an independent review will be undertaken.

Statement: Primary 1 assessments, external

Image source, Facebook/Police Scotland

A new law should be introduced to prosecute offenders who breach their curfew, after a father-of-three was murdered in a random street attack.

The police watchdog made the recommendation after examining the murder of Craig McClelland in Paisley.

His killer, James Wright, breached his home release curfew five months earlier and was "unlawfully at large".

A report also called for greater information sharing between police and the Scottish Prison Service.

Read more.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf praises the "bravery and tenacity" of the McClelland family in calling the change.

Home detention curfew (HDC) is an established mechanism for preparing prisoners for release and is not eligible for everyone, he explains.

He accepts HDC needs to be strengthened in light of the finding of the independence review.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf is making a statement following the publication of two reviews into home curfew breaches.

Green MSP Ross Greer suggests continuous performance assessment should be put on the table as part of the review.

Mr Swinney insists maintaining P1 assessments for this school year is appropriate.

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political reporter

Standardised assessments for P1 pupils are at the centre of a political row in Scotland, with opposition parties pressing a vote on whether they should be axed.

But what are they actually like?

Read of Philip Sim's experience of sitting a P1 test here.

Tory MSP Liz Smith says this parliament voted to act on evidence already provided by P1 teachers, who said the assessments were not in line with play-based learning.

What evidence found that children aged 4 to 5 need to be assessed in this way, she asks.

Mr Swinney says the review will reconsider the evidence, before highlighting that local authorities have long tested P1 pupils.

Labour MSP Iain Gray says this statement was a justification for "defying this parliament".

Mr Swinney insists he is "pursuing what parliament put in place".

MSPs defeated the Scottish government in a vote calling on ministers to "halt" national assessments for five-year-old pupils last month.

The assessments were introduced across Scotland last year, but some teachers and parents have criticised them.

Ministers insist they are not high-stakes tests, but help schools assess where pupils need help at an early age.

Opposition parties say they are not in line with play-based early learning and could create league tables of schools.

Read more.

The reviews findings will be published by the end of May 2019, Mr Swinney says.

In the meantime, schools should continue with their existing plans to ensure the review has sufficient evidence he says.

Mr Swinney reiterates that local authorities should work collaborative with teachers and the needs of children must be taken into account.

The minister says it is vital that an appropriate approach to assessment is taken.

He argues P1 assessments are in line with play-based learning as set out in the curriculum for excellence (CfE).

Mr Swinney says no significant concerns have been raised by parents via the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland.

The assessments are not "high stakes tests", the education secretary insists, adding they are one part of a range of evidence teachers will use to determine where pupils are in relation to the CfE levels.

He says the motion passed by parliament provided no clarity to local authorities about what should be done with their assessment programmes if the national scheme is dropped.

We must give due consideration to the established practice of the overwhelming number of local authorities, he argues.

Education Secretary John Swinney announces an independence review of P1 assessments within the context of the national framework.

This review will provide recommendations on alignment of assessments, usefulness of diagnostic information, how it fits with CfE and the future of assessments, he explains.