Image source, PA

The Best Start Grant has been developed to replace the Sure Start Maternity Grant.

It follows the transfer of some powers over social security payments from the UK to the Scottish government.

A one-off grant of £600 will be paid for the first child in low income families (a £100 increase on the current rate).

It will also reintroduce a £300 payment for subsequent children and two payments of £250 each during a child's early years.

In September, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed this payments will begin before Christmas.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says she signed the commencement regulations for the Best Start Grant this morning.

This new benefit will be rolled out from 10 December, meaning the first payments will be made before Christmas she says.

Image source, Getty Images

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville is updating MSPs on the implementation of the new Best Start Grant.

Independent MSP Mark McDonald asks about support for families who were working towards obtaining a placement at the school and are now "back at square one".

Mr Swinney urges the member to share the details of a specific case he raises so he can take it forward as part of support efforts for current pupils.

He also highlights it was well known The New School was looking for new owners.

Labour MSP Iain Gray asks, given the reduction of ASN teachers across Scotland, how will he ensure young people moved to schools will get the support they need.

Mr Swinney explains it will be cheaper to have the pupils in mainstream schools.

Mr Fraser asks about places available at other specialist schools to ensure pupils do not have to re-enter mainstream education if this is not suitable.

The education secretary agrees it is important the children are appropriately supported to ensure their schooling is right.

The work is actively underway, involving the local authorities.

Image source, The New School

A residential school for children with significant additional support needs is to close.

Parents of children at The New School Butterstone in Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, have been told the school will shut this Friday.

BBC Scotland understands the school notified parents that it has had financial difficulties.

A deal by another organisation to take over the school is believed to have fallen through.

Read more here.

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Tory MSP Murdo Fraser asks an urgent question on the announced closure of the New School, Butterstone.

Education Secretary John Swinney says this is an "incredibly sad" announcement in his constituency and adds it is particularly sad for the young people, staff and the board

Mr Swinney says all concerned are working in the interests of the children and young people who attend the school.

HM Inspectorate are at the school today and tomorrow, he says, and support by PACE will be given to staff.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish welcomes support for Mr Ruskell's amendments to the Scottish Crown Estate Bill.

She asks about thought given to juvenile fish and the impact on habitats.

Ms Cunningham confirms such issues have been taken into account.

There a five different ways of harvesting kelp, she highlights, and we do not want to disincentivise the industry she adds.

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Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says this will be dealt with tomorrow in the Crown Estate Bill consideration at Stage 3 - join Holyrood Live for extensive coverage.

Ms Cunningham tells the chamber the Green amendment on kelping will be supported by the SNP tomorrow.

Mr Finnie asks how a promoter of a policy can also be the regulator, calling for assurances that Marine Scotland will be impartial.

He insists that if environmental considerations were paramount this process would have been banned asking who in the government is pushing this agenda.

Nobody, insists the minister and reiterates her pledge to back the Green amendment tomorrow.

She says she will announce a review of kelping.

Image source, SubseaTV

A plan to harvest tonnes of wild kelp on Scotland's west coast is being opposed by local communities.

Ayr-based Marine Biopolymers Ltd wants to extract natural polymers from the mechanically-harvested seaweed to use in foods and pharmaceuticals.

People living in Ullapool, on the north west coast, and the Isle of Tiree have concerns about the plan.

They say commercial harvests would damage marine habitats and destroy a defence against coastal erosion.

Read more.

Green MSP John Finnie asks about the mechanical harvesting of kelp by dredging.

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie says the UK government's response to the report is emblematic of the contempt shown to the people it covers.

He queries how the Scottish government responds to the section on the Scottish welfare fund, where it suggests there is an accountability gap.

Ms Campbell says the Social Security Act entrenches human rights as core to the new Scottish system and issues raised by the rapporteur will be given further consideration.

Labour MSP Elaine Smith says the Scottish government still has not brought forward its income supplement, despite the Child Poverty Act having been passed.

The ministers says this is a complex issue that is being worked on at the moment.

Tory MSP Oliver Mundell says the special rapporteur said the simplification of benefits in Universal Credit was "in many respects admiral".

Ms Campbell hits back saying: "He also called the system universal discredit."

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell points to several recommendations made by the rapporteur for the UK government, including changing Universal Credit and scrapping the two-child cap.

In Scotland we will look to build on the foundation created through the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act, she says.

Ms Constance asks how the child poverty delivery plan will be taken forward.

The cabinet secretary says the blame for child poverty lies with the UK government and its welfare cuts.

She highlights work on the income supplement and the creation of more affordable homes as evidence of the different approach being taken by the Scottish government.

Ministers are in a "state of denial" about poverty, a UN expert has said following a 12-day tour of the UK.

Philip Alston, special rapporteur on extreme poverty, said despite being in the one of the world's richest countries he had encountered "misery".

Levels of child poverty are "staggering" and 1.5 million people were destitute at some point in 2017, the Australian said.

The government rejected his analysis, pointing to rising household incomes.

Read more.

SNP MSP Angela Constance seeks a response to the report on the fact-finding visit to the UK by the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, and asks how this will inform its plan to tackle child poverty in Scotland.