And we're off..............published at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, bbcWho knew the economy was such a hoot?
Summary
MSPs take evidence from a mother whose ten-year-old son died from cardiac arrest and who is calling for better access to defibrillators
Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed during first minister's questions
A Tory MSP leads a debate on arthritis and access to work
A statement on energy efficiency is made
The economy committee leads a debate on economic performance and data
And we're off..............published at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, bbcImage caption, Background: Scotland's Economic Performancepublished at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, Scottish ParliamentThe economy committte published Scotland's Economic Performance o, externaln June 21 2018.
MSPs will now debate the economy...................published at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, bbc/PA/Getty iImagesMSPs will now debate Scotland’s economic performance and economic data, led by the economy committee.
Lib Dem MSP raises concerns about rural fuel poverty definitionpublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, bbcImage caption, Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur
Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur asks if the minister heard the criticisms made yesterday about the failure to include a rural minimum income standard in the definition of rural fuel poverty.
He calls for proper island proofing of the legislation.
Mr Wheelhouse, answering as energy and islands minister, points out each of the island authorities are receiving a generous contribution from the Scottish government to improve energy efficiency.
Green MSP asks about district heating project fundingpublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image caption, Green MSP Mark Ruskell
Green MSP Mark Ruskell asks about a steady funding stream for district heating projects.
Mr Wheelhouse says Finance Secretary Derek Mackay is looking into these issues to provide certainty for investors.
There will be more detail in the budget, he adds.
Postpublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
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End of twitter postLabour MSP calls for EPC target to be met no later than 2040published at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald calls of 2040 to be the target or for it to be even earlier.
As set out in the Route Map, all homes must reach at least an EPC Energy Efficiency Rating Band C by 2040, where technically feasible and cost-effective.
Mr Macdonald asks when the minister will be able to tell councils what support will be available to help put in place the energy efficiency strategies.
He also calls for the investigation into district heating to be concluded as quickly as possible.
Image source, bbcImage caption, Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald
Mr Wheelhouse insists the 2040 target is the right timescale, but a consultation will be carried out to see if it can be achieved faster.
The minister warns the total cost may be up to £12bn and as much private and third sector funding must be attracted.
He says the government is looking at how best to deliver the district heating regulatory system.
Postpublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
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End of twitter postTory MSP calls for EPC target to be brought forwardpublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image caption, Tory MSP Alexander Burnett
Tory MSP Alexander Burnett expresses disappointment that the target for EPC ratings for housing is not being brought forward to 2030.
He suggests the can is being kicked down the road under the guide of further consultations.
Mr Burnett asks for evidence that the Scottish governmnet's proposal will not be more detrimental than the one called for by this parliament in May.
Mr Wheelhouse says it is not universally accepted that accelerating the timeline would lead to the benefits sought by parliament.
If we do not have a supply chain in place, inflation will be driven upward he adds.
Work will start shortly to improve the policy framework around low carbon heatpublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, bbcMr Wheelhouse says he is committed to working with COSLA and councils on energy efficiency.
The energy minister says there is a significant challenge to meet the target of 45% of heat demand to come from low carbon fuels by 2032.
Mr Wheelhouse confirms work will start shortly to improve the policy framework around low carbon heat.
He says legislation will be brought in to bring regulation to the district heating sector.
It is not within our gift to make consumer protection provisions as that power is still reserved, the minister says.
Background: Funding to tackle household fuel povertypublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, Getty ImagesGovernment funding of more than £54m is to go towards tackling fuel poverty in Scotland, the first minister said in May.
The money will be used to help meet a target to improve the energy efficiency of all homes by 2040.
The plan is set out in the Route Map to an Energy Efficient Scotland, external, launched by Nicola Sturgeon at an All Energy conference in Glasgow.
The funding will also support local authorities to expand existing energy efficiency and fuel poverty programmes.
Under the plans, all homes will be improved to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least band C by 2040.
Minister insists government 'continuing to invest heavily' to boost energy efficiencypublished at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image caption, Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse says the Scottish government is "continuing to invest heavily" to tackle fuel poverty and boost energy efficiency.
He points to support for the 2040 target to remove poor energy efficiency as a driver for fuel poverty.
Those calling for an accelerated target have not set out a credible delivery plan, he says, but he also accepts there is appetite for speeding up the process.
The Scottish government will publish a further consultation on January to explore acceleration, he confirms.
Statement: Energy Efficient Scotlandpublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
A ministerial statement will now be made on energy efficiency.
It follows the publication of analysis of the responses, external to the consultation on Energy Efficient Scotland.
Labour MSP raise issue of MSPs' security following attack on Ruth Davidson's officepublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Labour MSP David Stewart asks the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the provision of home security assessment reports for members.
Mr Carlaw explains members can contact the police for a briefing on how to improve their security.
He goes on to say agrees every member should have their own constituency presence surveyed for any risks around security.
Image source, bbcImage caption, Ruth Davidson is on maternity leave
Earlier today a man was arrested after rocks were thrown at the windows of Ruth Davidson's constituency office in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Tory leader's office building in Roseburn Terrace was targeted at about 11:40.
Ms Davidson, who is on maternity leave until next spring, was not in the building at the time.
Is the parliament protected against cyberattacks?published at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image caption, Green MSP Ross Greer
Green MSP Ross Greer asks about protecting the parliament from cyberattacks.
Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale says the need for cyber-resilience has never been greater and the SPCB has put in place a variety of tools, technology and procedures.
An independent review led to the parliament being given a Cyber Essentials Plus certification, she adds.
Mr Greer points out the Russian ambassador is due to attend parliament soon and asks about specific measures and assessments put in place in advance of this, given Russia's links to cyberattacks.
Ms Dugdale says every effort is made to ensure sufficient procedures are in place.
We begin with a call for defibrillators to be installed in MSP constituency officespublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, bbcImage caption, SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor
SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor asks the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consider installing automated external defibrillators in, or on the external walls of, MSP constituency offices.
Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw has considered this matter and while the corporate body is supportive, this could not be funded through the expenses scheme.
For a number of reasons an MSP's office is not the best place for a defibrillator, he adds.
Labour MSP Johann Lamont says the key issue is that everyone should have the life saving skills and calls for first aid training for all parliamentary staff.
SPCB questionspublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, Scottish parliamentMSPs now have a chance to raise issues with the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB).
Coming up all too shortly...............published at 13:21 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image caption, Economy Secretary Derek Mackay
SPCB questions kick us back off at the earlier time of 2pm.
Then there will be a ministerial statement on energy efficiency.
The economy committee leads a debate on economic performance and data to take us to 5pm.
Access to Work is DWP's 'best kept secret' says ministerpublished at 13:19 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image caption, Fair Work Minister Jamie Hepburn
Fair Work Minister Jamie Hepburn says Access to Work is often described as the DWP's "best kept secret".
This needs to change, he says.
Arthritis has a huge personal impact but it can also come with a significant cost to the economy, he adds.
Mr Hepburn says the Scottish government is promoting and will continue to promote Access to Work.
The disability employment plan will be published in coming weeks, he adds.
There must be local services across the country to assist those with arthritispublished at 13:17 Greenwich Mean Time 22 November 2018
Image source, bbcImage caption, Labour MSP Elaine Smith
Labour MSP Elaine Smith praises Rachael Hamilton for raising awarenss of the Access to Work scheme and for sharing her personal story of having rheumatoid arthritis.
Ms Smith cites the £17m Versus Arthritis has put into tackling the disease in Scotland.
Over 700,000 people suffer from a form of arthritis in Scotland she explains.
Ms Smith insists there must be local services across the country to assist those with arthritis.