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. Rennie raises issue of potential redundancies at Michelinpublished at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    willie rennieImage source, bbc

    Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie returns to Michelin, and says Dundee workers must get the same or a better redundancy deal than Michelin workers in Ballymena did.

    The first minister says this an incredibly important issue and the government will do all it can.

    She says she does not want to assume that redunancies will happen but if they do happen the government will demand workers get the best possible package.

    Mr Rennie says Brexit will not help the workers at Michelin and he says he was pleased the Scottish Parliament voted to back a so-called "People's Vote" on Wednesday.

    Read more here.

    Hundreds of thousands of people marched through London calling for a new vote on BrexitImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Hundreds of thousands of people marched through London calling for a new vote on Brexit

    He asks if the backstop being discussed is enough for the first minister to support the Brexit deal.

    "No that would not be enough," says Ms Sturgeon.

    She again says SNP MPs would also support the option of another referendum on Brexit if the proposal comes before the House of Commons.

  2. Background: Man guilty of murdering father-of-three in Paisley attackpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Craig McClelland was found badly injured on Tweed Avenue and later died in hospitalImage source, POLICE SCOTLAND AND SPINDRIFT
    Image caption,

    Craig McClelland was found badly injured on Tweed Avenue and later died in hospital

    In May we reported that a man is facing a life sentence after being convicted of stabbing a father-of-three to death in an "appalling murder" in Paisley.

    James Wright, 25, left Craig McClelland bleeding to death on the town's Tweed Avenue last July after stabbing him through the heart.

    The 31-year-old had been on his way to see a friend to play X-Box.

    Wright's co-accused Stuart McLellan, 28, was cleared after the jury returned a not proven verdict against him.

  3. Labour MSP raises murder of Craig McClellandpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    neil bibbyImage source, bbc

    Labour MSP Neil Bibby raises the case of Craig McClelland, who was murdered by James Wright while Wright was on early release from prison.

    He says the McClelland family is calling for a full public inquiry.

    Ms Sturgeon says she is "not surprised" that there are answers the family is still seeking.

    Two inspectorates reviewed the processes leading to James Wright's release and the Scottish government has accepted all recommendations arising from these, she says.

    Perpetrators of violent crimes will no longer be eligible for early release, Ms Sturgeon adds.

    She says the justice secretary is happy to continue meeting with the McClelland family.

  4. Background: More than 50 fish food plant jobs to go in Invergordonpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    SalmonImage source, PA

    More than 50 jobs are to be lost in Invergordon with the closure of a factory making fish feed for the salmon industry in Scotland.

    Skretting, a global company based in Norway, is pulling out of the UK altogether.

    The move will also see the closure of the company's plant near Preston in Lancashire, its head office in Norwich and a warehouse in Shetland.

    A total of more than a 100 jobs will be lost.

    Read more.

  5. SNP MSP raises issue of Skretting pulling out of Invergordonpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    gail ross

    SNP MSP Gail Ross raises the issue of 50 jobs to be lost in Invergordon, with the closure of athe Skretting factory which makes fish feed for salmon.

    Ms Ross calls for support for the company's employees.

    Ms Sturgeon says this will be an anxious time for Skretting workers, and says all possible avenues of support will be explored to help the company continue.

  6. Tory MSP calls for rail contingency plans for Ayrpublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    finlay carson

    Tory MSP Finlay Carson raises the closure of Stranraer rail station coinciding with roadworks in the area.

    Further line closes must not happen again, he says, and calls on the first minister to ensure better contingency plans are in place.

    Ms Sturgeon accepts the situation has been "difficult" and says ScotRail acted as quickly as possible to minimise disruption.

  7. Background: 'Repurposing' bid to save jobs at Michelin tyre factorypublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Derek Mackay outside MichelinImage source, PA

    The head of Scottish Enterprise has been tasked with producing alternative plans to prevent the closure of Dundee's Michelin tyre factory.

    Chief executive Steve Dunlop will report to the Scottish government on possible options for "repurposing" the plant.

    Michelin confirmed on Tuesday that the tyre factory will close by mid-2020 with the loss of all 845 jobs.

    The French firm said it deemed it "unsuitable" in the current climate.

    Read more here.

  8. 'We will do everything possible to support Michelin'published at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    shona robisonImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Shona Robison pays tribute to the Michelin work force in Dundee for their resilience and tenacity and calls for everything to be done to help retain and repurpose the plant.

    Ms Robison calls for the UK government to increase the amount of money it is giving to the Tay City Deal.

    The first minister says the news this week that the plant is to close has clearly been devastating for the 845 workers at Michelin.

    The Scottish government will do everything it can to support a positive future for the plant, its workers and the community, the first minister adds.

    She says she will call on the UK government to match the Scottish government's funding on the Tay City Deal.

    "We will do everything possible to support Michelin, to support its workers and to support Dundee," she pledges.

  9. Wider changes must be subject to full consultation says FMpublished at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    nicola sturgeonImage source, bbc

    Mr Leonard says Labour's amendments are supported by Citizens Advice Scotland and debt charities.

    He highlights cases where people have been handed bills of thousands of pounds for council tax arrears going back years.

    The first minister says such issues have been raised as the bill has undergone the parliamentary stages.

    If there is a wider debate to be had, it is better that happens properly with full consultation she says.

    The Scottish government will consider whether that is necessary but this bill being considered this afternoon is narrow, she argues.

  10. Postpublished at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

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  11. Leonard calls on SNP to back reduction of debt time limit to five years this afternoonpublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    richard leonardImage source, bbc

    Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard asks if governmental bodies should have up to 20 years to pursue a person for debt.

    Mr Leonard goes on to point out that the parliament will be debating the Prescription Bill this afternoon.

    He says the DWP and Scotland's councils can pursue a debt 20 years later, when the person has no knowledge of it.

    In Stage 3 of the Prescription Bill a Labour amendment will cut that time limit to five years, he adds.

    Mr Leonard ask why the SNP is planning to vote against this.

    "It is to protect debtors actually," replies Ms Sturgeon.

    She says the government has listened to the views of Cosla, which has warned against a five year time limit.

    This Bill is not the place to sort out council tax debt by the back door, she adds.

  12. Background: What is the argument over the Prescription (Scotland) Bill?published at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Clock

    The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee backed the general principles of the Prescription (Scotland) Bill in June.

    But it also urged the Scottish government to provide "further rationale" for excepting council tax and business rates from the five-year time limit.

    Questions were raised over whether putting council tax and business rates under the 20 year period was appropriate and an agreement was not reached by the MSPs on this.

    Amendments submitted at stage 2 which sought to remove the exemption for council tax were not agreed to.

    A SPICe briefing with further detail on this is available. , external

  13. 'Tories yet again are short changing the Scottish Budget and the Scottish health service'published at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    nicola sturgeon

    Ms Sturgeon says the additional £550m is welcome but is not the £600m the Tories were promising.

    She argues: "The Tories yet again are short changing the Scottish Budget and the Scottish health service."

    Mr Carlaw retorts that the Fraser of Allander Institute has said health spending in Scotland is going to be double previous projections in the future.

    Ms Sturgeon hits back saying patient satisfaction is at a record high and says the Fraser of Allander Institute points out the Scottish budget has reduced per capita in real terms by 7%.

  14. Postpublished at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

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  15. Carlaw calls for action on general practice nowpublished at 12:08 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    jackson carlaw

    Ms Sturgeon says the new GP contract ensures they are well rewarded and goes on to point out there are more GPs per 1,000 people in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK.

    But Mr Carlaw asks why it is all "hearts and flowers" when the Scottish government comes up with funding for the NHS and "grudge and grievance" when the UK government gives an £550m in budget consequentials.

    He calls for GP support "now".

    The first minister insists investment in primary care has gone up very single year under the SNP government.

  16. Postpublished at 12:08 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

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  17. Background: What does the Budget mean for people in Scotland?published at 12:07 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Philip Sim
    BBC Scotland political reporter

    NursesImage source, Getty Images

    Any parts of the Budget which refer to areas which are devolved to Holyrood - so things like health, education or justice - don't apply north of the border. Instead, the Scottish government is given a corresponding sum of money to spend as they wish.

    In total, the Scottish government will get an extra £950m to spend over the next three years as a result of Mr Hammond's plans for devolved areas - principally health.

    These "Barnett consequentials" (named for the Barnett formula underpinning how the devolved administrations are funded) are not ring-fenced to one area or another - although the Scottish government has already pledged that all money stemming from increased health funding in England and Wales will be given to the Scottish NHS.

    Read more.

  18. And we're off......................published at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    chamberImage source, bbc

    Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw asks: "Why is it the case this SNP government is still choosing to invest less in general practice than the rest of the United Kingdom?"

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon does not accept that characterisation, arguing that per capita spending in Scotland is higher than the rest of the UK.

    Mr Carlaw says in the past five years spending on general practice has been lower than down south.

    There could be a shortage of 900 GPs, he says.

    The first minister says the government is working with general practices and by the end of this parliament the Scottish government will be investing an additional £500m in primary care.

  19. Postpublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

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  20. Time for first minister's questions.............published at 11:58 Greenwich Mean Time 8 November 2018

    Party leadersImage source, BBC/PA