Summary

  • The education committee take evidence on music tuition from school pupils campaigning against cuts

  • Finance, economy and fair work ministers face portfolio questions

  • MSPs debate Brexit and international research

  • A Tory MSP celebrates emergency service workers who will have had a busy week!

  1. Background: Medical research concern over Brexitpublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Dame Anna Dominiczak is the head of Glasgow University medical schoolImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Dame Anna Dominiczak is the head of Glasgow University medical school

    Scotland is at risk of losing its capacity to lead and shape major medical research projects after Brexit, a senior academic has said.

    Prof Dame Anna Dominiczak, head of Glasgow University medical school, said Scotland's world-class reputation could suffer with pioneering science lost.

    The UK government said it was looking at measures to support research in the short-term.

    It said it would be developing a new international strategy.

    Read more here.

    Horizon 202 FundingImage source, bbc
  2. Universities have hired immigration lawyers says science ministerpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Science Minister Richard Lochhead
    Image caption,

    Science Minister Richard Lochhead

    Science Minister Richard Lochhead begins by highlighting a visit he made yesterday to Queen Margaret University, where 15% of students and 9% of staff are EU nationals.

    But since Brexit, Mr Lochhead says he is "hearing about universities hiring immigration lawyers, about staff in tears, about staff and students feeling less welcome, uncertain, insecure".

    The minister says the damaged which may be done by Brexit is "self-inflicted".

  3. MSPs will now debate the impact of Brexit on international research.published at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Medical researchImage source, bbc

    MSPs will now debate the impact of Brexit on international research.

    It follows concerns of Scotland being at risk of losing the capacity to shape major medical research projects.

    Recently, Nobel scientists also warned against ending freedom of movement for fear of the impact this may have on scientific research.

    We expect both topics to come up.

  4. Hurrah! All twenty questions have been answered during portfolio questionspublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Deputy Presiding Christine Grahame has done it!Image source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Deputy Presiding Christine Grahame !

    Deputy Presiding Christine Grahame has done it! Ms Grahame has finally got through all twenty questions in portfolio questions!

    SNP MSP John Mason raises a point of order: "I just want to congratulate you on getting through all twenty questions."

    That's not a point of order quashes Ms Grahame, says she thinks he has given her the "black spot".

  5. UK government tax policy 'Robin Hood in reverse'published at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Finance Secretary Derek MackayImage source, bbc

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says this tells you everything you need to know about the Tories and he says it is strange Labour are going to copy this policy.

    Mr Mackay insists Scotland's income tax regime will be progressive and support the Scottish economy.

    The finance secretary says on UK government tax, it is the richest in society who will get the biggest benefit.

    "It really is Robin Hood in reverse."

  6. Background: Budget 2018: 'Squeeze continues' for lower-income familiespublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    moneyImage source, getty images

    The era of austerity is not over for working families on benefits or government departments like transport, according to one of the first independent analyses of the Budget.

    The Resolution Foundation said Philip Hammond had delivered £55bn in tax cuts and increases in public spending.

    It said that richer households would feel the most positive effects.

    However, the report highlighted that many of the cuts to welfare announced in 2015 are still to be rolled out.

    Read more here.

  7. UK Budget changes to taxpublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    SNP MSP Wille Coffey asks what the government's response is to the analysis of the UK Budget, which states that the announced changes to tax overwhelmingly benefit the richest households.

  8. Stockpiling will have negative impact on economypublished at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Trade Minister Ivan McKee
    Image caption,

    Trade Minister Ivan McKee

    Trade Minister Ivan McKee points to analysis which shows that stockpiling will have a negative impact on Scottish GDP.

    The fact businesses are having to consider stockpiling underlines the uncertainty being caused by Brexit, he adds.

  9. Background: Brexit stockpiling 'will hit economy' in medium termpublished at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Scotland's economy has grown in six consecutive quartersImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Scotland's economy has grown in six consecutive quarters

    Brexit stockpiling may give Scotland's economy a short-term boost, but will have a "negative" effect overall, the government's top economist has said.

    Dr Gary Gillespie said firms building up stock inventories before the UK leaves the EU could potentially boost Scotland's GDP by 0.4%.

    However he said this would be "more than offset" by a subsequent slowdown.

    Dr Gillespie's"state of the economy" report, external said there was an "improved outlook" despite the "risk" of Brexit.

    Read more here.

  10. Stockpiling goods and commoditiespublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Labour MSP David Stewart asks the Scottish Government what impact assessment it has undertaken of the long-term effect on the economy of stockpiling goods and commodities.

  11. Join us at decision time at 5pm..........published at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

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  12. Labour MSP calls for higher top tax ratepublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Labour MSP James Kelly

    Labour MSP James Kelly calls for higher top rate of tax for top earners, insisting it is not fair that speech and language therapists pay the same rate as senior managers at Scottish Enterprise.

    Mr Mackay reiterates he will bring forward his proposals in due course.

    He argues less money would be generated for public services is he had followed Labour's proposals on the top rate of tax.

  13. 'The powers over National Insurance should be devolved to Scotland'published at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Derek MackayImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks about the impact of the chancellor's decision to increase National Insurance on low and middle income earners.

    Is the minister concerned that some MPs are classed as English tax payers depriving Scotland of £20,000 per MP.

    Mr Mackay says the chancellor sneaked in National Insurance hike under the radar.

    The finance secretary says the Scottish government will be clear and transparent, unlike the UK government.

    He argues the powers over National Insurance should be devolved to Scotland.

    On the issue of Scottish constituency MPs being classified as English taxpayers, the cabinet secretary say: "I'm sure Kenny Gibson will be all over that and give me all the information I need to take that forward."

  14. Postpublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

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  15. Scottish income tax is progressive insists finance secretarypublished at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Mr Bowman

    Derek Mackay says the Scottish income tax is progressive and raises revenue required to support the Scottish economy.

    We will make policy decisions based on what is best for taxpayers and public services, he adds.

    Mr Bowman points to suggestions that higher taxes will impact the education sector due to headteachers paying more.

    Mr Mackay commits to investing in schools and adds he is looking to reach a satisfactory pay deal for teachers.

  16. Background: Income tax variation after UK Budgetpublished at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Chancellor Phillip Hammond and Finance Secretary Derek MackayImage source, House of Commons/BBC
    Image caption,

    Chancellor Phillip Hammond and Finance Secretary Derek Mackay

    Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced that the tax-free allowance for income tax - which applies across the UK - will increase to £12,500 from April 2019.

    He also announced a rise in the threshold of the higher rate of income tax, of 40p, to earnings above £50,000.

    In Scotland, the higher rate is 41p, and kicks in at £43,431 - meaning the divide between tax rates north and south of the border could increase if Mr Mackay does not take similar action in his draft budget.

    The Scottish government's draft budget plans will be set out in December.

    Mr Hammond used his Budget - the last before the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 - to claim that "the era of austerity is finally coming to an end".

  17. UK Budget - income taxpublished at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Tory MSP Bill Bowman asks the Scottish government what its position is on taxpayers in Scotland retaining as much of their income as those in the rest of the UK, in light of the proposals in the UK Budget.

  18. Will there be an economic impact assessment for the tourist tax?published at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says Scotland is still seen as a high cost destination and the Scottish tourism sector raised serious concerns about a tourist tax.

    Will there be an economic impact assessment for the tourist tax, he asks.

    Mr Mackay replies there will be as much analysis done as possible and there will be engagement with the hospitality sector.

  19. 'National discussion' on tourist tax taking placepublished at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay
    Image caption,

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay confirms an "inclusive and transparent national discussion" is being taken forward on such a tax.

    Roundtable discussions are taking place in coming weeks, he adds.

    When will these discussions conclude, asks Mr Wightman.

    He also suggests it should be for councils to decide whether such a tax would be used.

    Mr Mackay agrees to write to the member with a timetable.

  20. Background: Sturgeon orders consultation on Scottish tourist taxpublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2018

    Nicola Sturgeon told the conference that the issue of tourism taxes needed "very careful consideration"Image source, @GREENTOURISMUK
    Image caption,

    Nicola Sturgeon told the conference that the issue of tourism taxes needed "very careful consideration"

    A consultation into allowing councils to set a local "tourist tax" has been ordered by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

    Some Scottish councils, led by Edinburgh, have called for powers to set levies on tourist accommodation.

    The Scottish government has opposed the policy, but hinted that it could be open to changing this as part of budget talks with opposition parties.

    Ms Sturgeon announced the study at the Scottish Tourism Alliance conference.