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First minister's questions is next!

SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks the government what work it is undertaking to make misogyny a crime.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie confirms a consultation on the matter will be launched shortly.

There is a clear need to tackle misogyny in Scotland, she adds.

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First minister's questions takes place at noon.

Then Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston will lead a debate on the regulation of electricians.

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After lunch, Education Secretary John Swinney will provide an update on P1 assessments.

Then Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf will make a statement on home detention curfews, to be followed by an update from Brexit Secretary Michael Russell.

MSPs will then debate the Scottish government's first contribution to the development report.

Mark Frankland from First Base Agency Dumfries explains he works with drug users fairly regularly.

He says when Universal Credit was piloted in his area, drug dealers started to offer a £600 credit line because it was believed most people would be better off.

When this didn't happen, the situation turned quite dangerous and violent in some places he says.

Food banks in Scotland gave out a record number of food parcels in 2017.

More than 170,000 three-day emergency food supplies were distributed by The Trussell Trust's 52 food banks.

The charity said it saw a 17% increase in demand north of the border in 2017/18, compared to the previous year.

And it claimed a growing proportion of people referred to Scottish food banks have found that their benefits do not cover the cost of essentials.

Read more.

Steve Wright from Edinburgh City Mission expresses concern that the state is dependent on food banks.

Laura Ferguson of Trussell Trust says food banks have seen an increase in users in areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out, particularly young men.

"The level of need we're at now is unsustainable," she says.

Joyce Leggate from Kirkcaldy Foodbank tells the committee she has seen children open up the packages before even getting home because the level of hunger is so high.

The Social Security Committee has been continuing its inquiry into in work poverty this morning, focusing specifically on food banks.

Read the committee papers here., external

And further information on the inquiry is here., external

The committee is taking evidence from:

• Laura Ferguson from Trussell Trust, external
• Mandy Nutt of Tain Foodbank
• Joyce Leggate of Kirkcaldy Foodbank
• Evan Adamson of Instant Neighbour, external
• Mark Frankland from First Base Agency Dumfries
• Aziz Zeria from Crookston Community Group, external
• Steve Wright of Edinburgh City Mission, external

Image source, Getty Images

Good morning from Holyrood Live on Thursday 25 October 2018.

First up, the Social Security Committee discusses in-work poverty with a range of stakeholders.

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After general questions, join us for extensive coverage of first minister's questions at noon.

Then Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston will lead a debate on the regulation of electricians.

Image source, Getty Images

After lunch, Education Secretary John Swinney will provide an update on P1 assessments.

Then there will be a statement on home detention curfews, and followed by another statement, this time on Brexit.

MSPs will then debate the Scottish government's first contribution to the development report until 5pm.