Summary

  • The Europe committee is taking evidence on Brexit and Northern Ireland

  • Extensive coverage of first minister's questions

  • A Labour MSP leads a debate on women in STEM

  • MSPs debate the Budget Bill for the first time

  1. It turns out not to be a point of order and FMQs draws to a close.....published at 12:52 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  2. Point of order on Glasgow Airport access projectpublished at 12:51 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    Labour MSP Johann LamontImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Johann Lamont

    Labour MSP Johann Lamont raises a point of order, saying last week this parliament agreed to support the Glasgow Airport access project.

    The transport secretary has now announced his decision that the project should be scrapped, she says.

    What can be done to ensure the decisions made by this parliament are enforced, she asks.

    The presiding officer points out this is not a point of order.

    He suggests raising it through the business bureau.

  3. No mention of Brexitpublished at 12:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 2

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post 2
  4. Internet providers have a key responsibility and must be held to account says Sturgeonpublished at 12:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    nicola sturgeonImage source, bbc

    Ms Sturgeon says internet safety regulation is a reserved matter, however the government has published a national action plan on internet safety for young people.

    The first minister tells the chamber a study into the impact of social media on young girls will be published soon.

    Mr Whittle says there is a clear will from the UK government to act on this and he adds it is important that children are educated early about the dangers.

    The first minister says the government aims to ensure internet safety is embedded in the curriculum.

    The internet providers have a key responsibility here and they must be held to account, she says.

  5. Background: UK could ban social media over suicide imagespublished at 12:46 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    Social media firms could be banned if they fail to remove harmful content, the health secretary has warned.

    Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Matt Hancock said: "If we think they need to do things they are refusing to do, then we can and we must legislate."

    But he said it would be better to work jointly with social media companies.

    The minister earlier called on social media giants to "purge" material promoting self-harm and suicide in the wake of links to a teenager's suicide.

    Molly Russell, 14, took her own life in 2017 after viewing disturbing content about suicide on social media.

    Speaking to the BBC, her father said he believed Instagram "helped kill my daughter".

    Read more here.

  6. Harmful content on social mediapublished at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    brian whittleImage source, bbc

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle queries action being taken by the Scottish government to address the risk of young people being exposed to harmful content on social media.

  7. Scottish government provides of £300,000 in funding to Scottish Mountain Rescuepublished at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    The first minister points to over £300,000 in annual grant funding, adding the Scottish government is the only government in the UK to provide such funding.

    We are also looking at replacing the service's ageing radio equipment, she confirms.

    Ms Ross asks about ongoing dialogue between various agencies on helicopter support, given recent harsher weather conditions.

    Ms Sturgeon says the levers for change on helicopter support remain with the UK government, but guidance has been updated on support for body recovery and lifting people to safety.

  8. Background: 'Appalling' conditions for climber rescue in Cairngormspublished at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    Media caption,

    Rescuers battle tough conditions to save climber

    A climber has been rescued from a mountain in the Cairngorms in "appalling" weather conditions.

    The man, who was climbing alone on the Cairngorm plateau near Ben Macdui, raised the alarm using a personal locater beacon at about 14:30 on Sunday.

    Visibility was poor and high winds hampered the search.

    At 21:44 Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team said the man had been airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

    Read more here.

  9. Mountain rescue servicespublished at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    gail rossImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Gail Ross asks about support for mountain rescue services.

  10. How are the ongoing teachers' pay negotiations getting on?published at 12:44 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    jenny gilruthImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Jenny GIlruth asks for an update on the ongoing teachers' pay negotiations.

    The first minister replies that the teachers' pay ballot opens today.

    She says the lowest paid teachers will see their pay increase by 16% by April this year and by almost 20% by April next year.

    Ms Sturgeon says she very much hopes teachers will back this offer.

    The EIS and the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) unions are balloting their members over the next three weeks.

    The deal would see teachers get a series of rises worth 9% in total then another 3% rise next year.

    Both unions are planning to hold strike ballots if their members reject the offer.

  11. Tory MSP asks about punishment for child abusepublished at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    liam kerrImage source, bbc

    Tory MSP Liam Kerr raises the case of a dental student convicted of sexual abuse against a child who was given an absolute discharge.

    Serious sexual offences against children must be punished severely, he argues.

    The first minister agrees with the sentiment of the question, but says the sentencing decision in any criminal case is entirely for the judge, and says there had been exceptional circumstances in this particular case.

    I understand the concerns but we must protect the principle that these decisions are left to judges, she adds.

  12. First minister insists concerns of children's commissioner will be listened topublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    chamberImage source, bbc

    A child with the mental age of three was left traumatised after being locked in a cloakroom, says Mr Rennie.

    The children's commissioner has pointed out that guidance is inconsistent and he is not certain that restraint is being used as a last resort, adds the Scottish Lib Dem leader.

    He asks if Ms Sturgeon agrees with the children's commissioner that the use of restraint on vulnerable disabled children should be reduced.

    The first minister replies that of course the government will listen to the children's commissioner and make any necessary changes.

    Where we fall short it is important the government recognises that, she says.

  13. WATCH AGAIN: Richard Leonard asks the First Minister about homelessnesspublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  14. WATCH AGAIN: Jackson Carlaw asks about baby deaths at Glasgow hospitalpublished at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  15. Rennie raises restraint practices in schoolspublished at 12:37 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    willie rennieImage source, bbc

    Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says restraint practices in Scottish schools "that may be illegal" are harming disabled pupils, according to a report from the children's commissioner.

    The first minister says the government will respond to the commissioner's report by the end of the week.

    Restraint must only ever be used in cases of last resort, she insists, and the government will look to adjusting guidance is necessary.

  16. Sturgeon agrees enterprise agencies must support economy ethicallypublished at 12:37 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    nicola sturgeonImage source, bbc

    Mr Harvie says the first minister often uses the word diversification as a cover for support for the arms industry.

    He argues what is happening at Raytheon is the opposite of diversification.

    He calls for the support from the public purse to be withdrawn from this "lethal business".

    The first minister insists Scottish Enterprise have funded Raytheon in its diversification in non-military areas.

    I don't make an apology for our enterprise agencies supporting the economy, Ms Sturgeon says.

    However Mr Harvie is right that this must be done ehtically, she adds.

  17. Latest research from the Greenspublished at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  18. Harvie questions support for weapons firm Raytheonpublished at 12:35 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    patrick harvieImage source, bbc

    Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie raises support for the arms industry, in particular to Raytheon.

    I expect the UK government will continue to facilitate arms sales to human rights abusers he says.

    Scottish Enterprise is providing bespoke services to Raytheon, Mr Harvie claims, and asks "what on earth is the justification" for this.

    Ms Sturgeon says the Scottish government and its enterprise agencies do not provide funding for munitions.

    Any funding for Raytheon is non-military, she insists.

    We will continue to provide support for firms in areas like innovation and training as they support a large number of jobs, the first minister adds.

    But we do not and will not provide support for the arms industry, she insists.

  19. Disquiet in the chamber at mention of Ross Greer MSPpublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  20. Hepatitis A outbreak at primary school and closure of Dalmarnock Legacy Hub raisedpublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2019

    maurice corryImage source, bc

    Tory MSP Maurice Corry calls for reassurances following the Hepatitis A outbreak at St Mary's primary school in West Dunbartonshire.

    Nearly 200 pupils and staff are to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A after a child contracted the illness.

    The first minister says vaccination has been undertaken and efforts are ongoing to find the source of the infection.

    john masonImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP John Mason raises the issue of the future of the Legacy Hub in Dalmarnock.

    Ms Sturgeon replies the council is working with administrators to ensure the hub remains an asset.

    Parents in the east end of Glasgow are angry after their children's nursery was closed without notice.

    They were told on Friday that the childcare facility in Dalmarnock's Legacy Hub would not be re-opening.