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Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell states the key principle of integration begins from day one, not just when leave to remain has been granted.

Ms Campbell says she is grateful to everyone who has helped Syrian refugees settle in Scotland, but she says it is those who are seeking asylum that she wishes to focus on.

Those seeking asylum must have access to services like schools and health, she says, adding they must be treated with dignity and respect.

We have a flawed system that is failing those it is meant to help, forcing people to go to Croydon to make a claim, the minister adds.

Housing provider Serco has said it will "pause" issuing lock-change orders to tenants refused asylum in the UK.

The contractor said it would not begin enforcing the orders until on-going court action had clarified its position.

Campaigners are challenging Serco's plans to evict 330 asylum seekers from their homes in Glasgow.

The issue has prompted days of demonstrations at a Home Office building by protesters in Glasgow.

Read more here.

The Scottish government will now lead a debate on supporting asylum seekers.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says the minister is "misleading the public" with this statement.

It is the Scottish government which has mishandled the contract for opening sections of the road when it is physically ready.

Mr Matheson says these comments are "utterly irresponsible".

Mr Rumbles attempts to make a point of order but it overruled by Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame who calls it a "robust exchange".

The cabinet secretary repeats the ARL have to agree to the variation, but has not yet put it to its lenders.

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Labour MSP Colin Smyth says it is just not good enough the transport secretary can not give a firm date for the opening of the AWPR.

Mr Smyth presses the minister on the defects and calls for detail, asking if they are the same as those that occurred with the Queensferry Crossing.

He asks what the final building cost will be for this road.

Mr Matheson explains the defects require more remedial action on the river Don bridge.

The transport secretary says the offer of a variation in the contract has been with the contractors for some time and he hopes they will take it on as quickly as possible.

The minister did not provide the final cost of the AWPR.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr highlights continued delays to the opening of the AWPR.

He says the management of the project has been a "disgrace" and asks what is a realistic time for the road to open in full.

Mr Matheson says there will always be technical issues which arise in such big projects.

He says the contract variation has been on the table for a considerable period of time and it is now time for the contractor to agree to it.

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Mr Matheson accepts this has been a challenging project for ARL, particularly with the collapse of Carillion.

The transport secretary says Transport Scotland will work with ARL to find a solution.

The new road will be nothing short of transfromative to the economy and community, he insists.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson says ARL reported a technical issue on the Don crossing area in May.

These have proved to be more extensive than originally anticipated, he says, though ARL had said they remained on target.

Last Friday, Transport Scotland was informed a greater scope of work was necessary to repair defects the minister tells the chamber.

The contractor is targeting a December opening date for the whole road, but is unable to provide a definitive date for this part of the road Mr Matheson states.

He commits to providing an opening date as soon as possible.

It is also confirmed that the delays will not lead to additional costs to the public purse.

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The £745m 28-mile (45km) Abrerdeen bypass was approved by Scottish ministers in 2009 but faced legal action.

The project was due to open in the spring but was put back to autumn.

However there have been delays with the construction of the bridge over the River Don.

A statement sent to the local authorities involved in the project confirms that the contractor is currently unable to provide an opening date, due to problems with the bridge over the River Don.

Image source, James Walker

MSPs are being updated on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) project - otherwise known as the Aberdeen bypass.

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says the IPCC report shows the case for upping efforts is even more compelling.

Mr McArthur highlights the trend of residential emissions rising for two years in a row and ask when this trend will be reversed.

Ms Cunningham says the intention is the Just Transition Commission will run for two years.

The cabinet secretary adds the commission must be populated by the right people.

She argues there is a lot of work being done that will change the energy efficiency of buildings.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell says the action we take between now and 2030 is the most crucial.

If Scotland is to stand any chance of meeting a future net zero target, why is the Scottish government not showing more ambition now he asks.

Ms Cunningham says she would rather stick to the "dogged continued success" of the approach being taken.

"That is the way I believe we will achieve the outcomes that we're looking for."

The IPCC does bring more urgency into it, but that is why we have asked the Committee on Climate Change for advice she explains.

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Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says her party welcomes the 49% actual emissions reduction between 1990 and 2016.

We must heed the IPCC's call for rapid action, says Ms Beamish, adding her party backs the target of a 77% emissions reduction by 2030.

Ms Cunningham replies the government is very closely looking at and heeding the IPCC report.

We are acting as a result of the IPCC report, she says.

The Climate Change Bill makes it very clear that the intention is to do net zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible when the path is clear, Ms Cunningham explains.

"If that is made clear to us in the next few months then absolutely, that is how we will approach it."

Tory MSP Maurice Golden says a low carbon transition is vital and praises the good progress made on this in the electricity and waste sectors.

However he highlights the need to look at other sectors, specifically transport.

Mr Golden notes the Committee on Climate Change is looking to find a credible pathway to net zero emissions and asks if the Scottish government will accept such advice in full when forthcoming.

Ms Cunningham confirms the government's intention to do just that.

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish government is to seek fresh independent advice on its climate change targets after the latest warning on rising global temperatures.

An international report, external has said the world is currently heading for a 3C rise, way above the 1.5C target.

A coalition of charities has called on Scottish ministers to strengthen the forthcoming Climate Change Bill.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said action was a "massive priority" but Scotland's record was "exemplary".

Read more here.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says Scotland will reach the target sooner if the UK works together.

Ms Cunningham warns that the risk of a no-deal Brexit threatens emission reductions.

She says she is deeply concerned about the UK government proposal to introduce a carbon tax.

The minister urgently wants a meeting between all four nations.