Summary

  • The culture and Europe committee take evidence on the Council of the EU and BBC Scotland

  • Extensive coverage of FMQs from noon

  • MSPs remember those who lost their lives in WWI

  • A Labour MSP hosts a debate on care homes

  • A statement on improving the experience of LGBTI people in schools is made

  • Stage 3 of the Prescription Bill takes place

  1. Background: How did Harry Patch become an unlikely WW1 hero?published at 13:13 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Harry Patch

    Harry Patch was an ordinary soldier of the First World War. Like many who fought, he was conscripted and sent to the trenches of the Western Front, where he was wounded at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917.

    Unlike many, Harry lived on until the age of 111, by which time he had become the last British survivor of the World War One trenches. Despite not talking publicly about his war experiences until late in life, he came to represent the generation of ordinary men who served in the First World War. When he died in 2009, over 1,000 people, including dignitaries from around the world, attended his funeral.

    But when war broke out, men like Harry were not seen as heroes-in-waiting. Instead it was a very different type of soldier who captured the public imagination.

    Read more.

  2. Tory deputy leader marks centenary of end of 'destructive and desperate conflict'published at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Scottish Labour ldeputy eader Jackson CarlawImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Scottish Labour ldeputy eader Jackson Carlaw

    Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw begins by associating himself entirely with all the first minister's words.

    He says this Sunday will see the centenary of the end of that "destructive and desperate conflict".

    Mr Carlaw says the last four years have seen an extraordinary engagement by communities with remembrance, particularly with children.

    The Tory MSP praises Harry Patch, a veteran who died in 2009.

  3. 'We remember with respect and with gratitude'published at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Quote Message

    We remember with respect and with gratitude all those who died. We honor all those who contributed to the war effort. And we also resolve once again to do everything in our power to promote a more peaceful world."

    Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister

    first minister's motionImage source, Scottish parliament
    Image caption,

    Here is the first minister's motion

  4. 'Our obligation to remember them is if anything greater now than it has ever been before'published at 12:59 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
    Image caption,

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is leading the remembrance motion

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says it is an honour to move this motion today.

    More than 15 million people around the world died during the war and many more were injured, she says.

    Ms Sturgeon also highlights the psychological impact in an age where mental health was not talked about.

    "Even with the passage of time, the debt we owe to those who served is not diminished."

    She praises the various commemoration events that have taken place recently.

    "Our obligation to remember them is if anything greater now than it has ever been before."

    Peace is something no nation can take for granted, she says, adding it requires constant attention.

  5. Background: Roll call honour for Scotland's war deadpublished at 12:53 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Holyrood buildingImage source, Scottish parliament

    The names of all of Scotland's World World One dead are to be projected onto the Scottish Parliament to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.

    The unique illumination will honour each of the 134,712 men and women listed in the Scottish National War Memorial Roll of Honour, external.

    It will take seven hours to project the names of all of those that died onto the Holyrood building.

    The event on the evening of Sunday 11 November will be open to the public.

    Read more.

  6. Motion of remembrancepublished at 12:50 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    PoppiesImage source, PA

    MSPs remember the Scottish men and women who died during WWI.

  7. Call for government not to penalise single householdspublished at 12:46 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Ms Baillie calls for a commitment the government won't penalise single households.

    The first minister says the government will take a decision after the consultation has concluded.

  8. Scottish Water discountpublished at 12:46 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Labour MSP Jackie Baillie seeks a response o the proposal by Scottish Water to remove the 25% single person discount from at least 500,000 customers, including older people.

  9. Police Scotland helicopter available for mountain rescuepublished at 12:44 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    nicola sturgeonImage source, bbc

    The first minister points to annual grant funding of over £300,000 for mountain rescue services.

    We are the only government in the UK to fund mountain rescue in this way, she adds.

    Ms Grant says mountain rescue volunteers put their own lives at risk to save others but often feel they are expendable.

    She calls for other agencies, including Police Scotland, to support and protect mountain rescue teams.

    Ms Sturgeon praises the role of rescue workers and confirms Scottish government officials are engaging with the agency regarding concerns about helicopter support.

    Police Scotland is making its helicopter available as a last resort for body recovery, she adds.

    Tory MSP Liz Smith says the centralisation of the police has "diluted" the ability to coordinate mountain rescue and respond with necessary experience.

    Ms Sturgeon disagrees, saying there is no evidence this is the case.

  10. Background: Search and rescue contract criticised by mountain volunteerspublished at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Coastguard helicopterImage source, J M Briscoe

    Four of Scotland's mountain rescue teams have criticised a new contract for search and rescue helicopters.

    The teams said the contract was impacting on their work, with a reluctance by the rescue helicopter operators to assist during missions.

    It has been claimed there is an unwillingness to assist with recovering bodies and helping to move volunteers.

    Maritime & Coastguard Agency said it would attempt to assist if the risk was not considered to be too great.

    Read more.

  11. Mountain rescue teamspublished at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    rhoda grantImage source, bbc

    Labour MSP Rhoda Grant asks about support for mountain rescue teams.

  12. Postpublished at 12:41 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

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  13. Background: Arthritis creating 'epidemic of isolation'published at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Knee supportImage source, Thinkstock

    Arthritis is creating an "epidemic of isolation", a new report has warned.

    A survey conducted by Versus Arthritis found three quarters of people with the condition said it had compromised their family and social lives.

    In addition, almost a third admitted that friendships and relationships had been left strained because of it.

    Versus Arthritis has called for public spaces to be designed more inclusively to prevent people feeling "disconnected".

    One in six people in the UK have arthritis, a condition which causes pain and inflammation in joints.

    Read the Defying Arthritis at Every Age report., external

  14. Considerable amount of money going to address waiting imespublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    The first minister says the health secretary has said there will be a considerable amount of money being put to address waiting tiems.

    Ms Sturgeon says the government will respond to the report.

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  15. Arthritis and lonelinesspublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks about action to reduce loneliness and isolation among people with arthritis.

  16. Background: 'Real living wage' rises to £9 an hourpublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Media caption,

    People need to earn more to meet their basic needs, says Living Wage Foundation director

    Those lucky enough to work for an employer who has voluntarily signed up to the "real living wage" are set for a 2.8% pay rise this week.

    For the first time they will receive £9 an hour.

    This is not to be confused with the compulsory National Living Wage, which is currently £7.83 an hour for anyone over the age of 25.

    The rate is independently calculated, to reflect what people need to spend to feed, clothe and house themselves.

    Read more.

  17. 'Real living wage'published at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    james dornanImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP James Dornan asks about the "real living wage".

    Mr Dornan says it is a "disgrace" that the UK government has not put a real living wage in place and criticises the fact that under 25s earn less than their older colleagues under the UK government's own living wage scheme.

    The first minister agrees, and says that people with the same job should be paid the same wages.

  18. Background: Neil Lennon: Hibernian boss 'may reconsider position' after coin incidentpublished at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Neil LennonImage source, bbc

    Neil Lennon says he "may reconsider" his position as Hibernian boss after being struck with a coin during Wednesday's goalless Edinburgh derby.

    Lennon believes he suffers anti-Catholic "racism" in Scotland and says there was an effigy outside Tynecastle depicting him being hanged.

    The Northern Irishman was struck by the missile after celebrating a disallowed Hearts goal near the end of the match.

    "I've thought about walking away when I was manager of Celtic," said Lennon.

    Read more here.

  19. First minister condemns attack on Neil lennonpublished at 12:37 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    james kellyImage source, bbc

    Labour MSP James Kelly raises the issue of the attack on Hibs manager Neil Lennon during the recent Edinburgh derby.

    Mr Kelly calls for the first minister to condemn "anti-Catholic bigotry".

    The first minister condemns the attack on Lennon and sectarianism of any form.

    "We will take the action we need to ensure such conduct has no place in Scotland", she insists.

  20. Green MSP raises music tuition feespublished at 12:37 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    ross greer

    Green MSP Ross Greer raises tuition fees for school music lessons.

    He calls for councils to be given the powers to raise the money they need to deliver such opportunities.

    The first minister says the Scottish government provides support for a range of music initiatives.

    In terms of support for councils, she says they were provided with a real-terms increase this year.