Summary

  • Derek Mackay updates the finance committee on the budget, before stage 2 amendments are taken

  • The Brexit secretary updates parliament on preparations

  • Education and skills ministers face portfolio questions

  • The rural committee leads a debate on salmon farming

  • A Tory MSP highlights the Scottish Powerchair Football Association

  1. That's all from Holyrood Live!published at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Finance Secretary Derek MackayImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay

    That's all from Holyrood Live on Wednesday 6 February 2019.

    Finance Secretary Derek Mackay was accused of being "essentially dishonest" about his budget by a Tory MSP.

    The budget was passed last week after a deal was reached between the Scottish government and the Greens.

    The agreement included an allocation of £90m to local government - funded by an additional £148m in Barnett consequentials.

    At the finance committee Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said Mr Mackay had failed to inform opposition parties about the extra consequentials ahead of the budget debate on Thursday 31 January, last week.

    Mr Mackay said he was first notified about the prospect of an extra £148m on 25 January.

    He said his officials then sought clarifications from the Treasury on 28 January, during the week of stage 1 of the budget, and insisted he had been transparent throughout the negotiations.

  2. Minister praises Scottish Powerchair Football Association volunteerspublished at 17:48 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Public Health Minister Joe FitzpatrickImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick

    Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says he thinks there is unanimous support for Mr Balfour's amendment to the Planning Bill calling for more changing places toilets in public buildings.

    Mr Fitzpatrick insists football is our national game and it should be enjoyed by everyone, with no barriers.

    He praises the Scottish Powerchair Football Association, which, with the support of the SFA, has achieved so much in a short time.

    The minister recognises there is more to do to extend its reach and its success is down to the enthusiasm of the SPFA's volunteers.

  3. All Scots who want to try powerchair football should be able to says Green MSPpublished at 17:41 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone
    Image caption,

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone says Scotland has had a huge amount to celebrate in terms of the successes of disabled disabled sportspeople recently.

    Disability sport is going from strength to strength she adds.

    Ms Johnstone tells the chamber that developing a new sport can be challenging, but powerchair football has become the fastest growing disability sport in Scotland despite this she adds.

    We need to ensure Scots who want to try out the sport can do so, wherever they live the Green MSP says.

  4. Labour MSP calls for more funding for powerchair footballpublished at 17:37 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Labour MSP Jackie Baillie
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Jackie Baillie

    Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says powerchair football has given people with complex disabilities the chance to play as a team at both an amateur and professional level.

    The SPFA and Muscular Dystrophy UK cannot be praised enough for creating these opportunities, she tells the chamber.

    Taking part in the sport will have a positive benefit on every aspect of players' lives, adds the Labour MSP.

    Ms Baillie echoes her colleagues points about accessibility, and also calls for more funding to be provided for the sport.

  5. Background: Can Scotland reach Powerchair World Cup?published at 17:36 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Powerchair is motorised wheelchair football and it's a growing sport in Scotland. A national team is now being put together, with a view to World Cup qualification in 2021.

    BBC Scotland's Jonathan Sutherland joined a training session with Clyde Powerchair to see if he has what it takes.

  6. SNP MSP praises Peak Sports Centre in Stirlingpublished at 17:26 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    SNP MSP Bruce CrawfordImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    SNP MSP Bruce Crawford

    SNP MSP Bruce Crawford says those that work at the Peak in his constituency have a pride in the work they do in terms of sport for those with a range disabilities and those who are non-disabled.

    The Peak Sports Centre in Stirling, external is considered to be Scottish powerchair football's home, according to Mr Balfour's motion.

    He agrees more needs to be done in terms of changing places toilets.

  7. Tory MSP calls for more sports facilities to be accessiblepublished at 17:22 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour praises the work of the Scottish Powerchair Football Association (SPFA) and welcomes representatives to the public gallery.

    Powerchair football is a unique sport that provides opportunities for people with a high level of impairment to enjoy football, he explains.

    It allows people of all disabilities and genders to participate, he adds.

    Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour

    Mr Balfour says there are only four venues across Scotland that are capable of hosting a powerchair football match.

    He also highlights a lack of accessible changing and toilets facilities.

    The Tory MSP calls for sports centres to be updated and he welcomes the passage of his amendment to the Planning Bill calling for more changing places toilets, external.

  8. Background: What is powerchair football?published at 17:18 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Powerchair football

    PowerChair football is a disability team sport played by two opposing teams on a basketball sized court.

    Each team is allowed four players on the court at one time including the goalkeeper.

    A match consists of two 20-minute periods.

    Two distinct differences in the laws from the able bodied game are the “two-on-one” rule and the 3-in-the-goal-area violation.

    There are seven clubs in the Scottish PowerChair Football Association, external, plus the national team.

  9. Debate: Scottish Powerchair Football Associationpublished at 17:16 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour is leading a debate to celebrate the Scottish Powerchair Football Association.

    Here is his motion...

    MotionImage source, Scottish Parliament
  10. This convener choice row is not over.....published at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

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  11. MSPs agree to the motion establishing the Salmond inquiry committeepublished at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    MotionImage source, Scottish Parliament

    MSPs agree to the motion establishing the Salmond inquiry committee with 92 MSPs backing it and 19 against.

  12. Linda Fabiani to be put forward as convenerpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Parliamentary Business Minister Graeme Day
    Image caption,

    Parliamentary Business Minister Graeme Day

    Parliamentary Business Minister Graeme Day says this motion was discussed by all business managers on the bureau.

    He welcomes the approach taken to these discussions.

    He says he proposed the SNP will remove itself from deputy convenership, which it was also due under parliamentary procedures.

    Mr Dey confirms Linda Fabiani will be nominated to chair the committee on behalf of the SNP - Ms Fabiani is also the deputy presiding officer.

  13. Labour will vote against motion if convenership not removed from SNPpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Labour MSP Neil FindlayImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Neil Findlay

    Labour MSP Neil Findlay says his party supports the establishment of the committee and its remit.

    Mr Findlay adds that all eyes will be on this parliament and it is vital that any committee is not compromised before it begins.

    He raises concerns about the committee being chaired by the SNP.

    The Labour MSP calls on the government to remove its motion and revise the terms of the committee or his party will vote against it.

  14. Postpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

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  15. Tory MSP 'disappointed' that SNP did not step aside from convenershippublished at 17:07 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Tory MSP Annie Wells
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Annie Wells

    Tory MSP Annie Wells says her party supports the motion to set up the new committee.

    We are also confident all the MSPs selected for the committee will endeavour to conduct the inquiry in the best way possible she adds.

    But Ms Wells says her party has concerns about the convener of the committee being from the SNP.

    This is not a reflection on the individual, but there is a clear public interest that this committee is both impartial and seen to be impartial, she explains.

    The Tory MSP says she is disappointed the SNP did not choose to stand aside and offer convenership to opposition party

  16. Background: MSPs agree remit for Salmond inquiry grouppublished at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    The Holyrood inquiry is entirely separate to the criminal case against Mr SalmondImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    The Holyrood inquiry is entirely separate to the criminal case against Mr Salmond

    MSPs have agreed the remit for a Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish government's handling of harassment complaints against Alex Salmond.

    Several inquiries were set up after the government admitted its investigation of internal complaints had been flawed.

    A special nine-member committee will consider the actions of officials as well as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

    The probe will focus on government process and is separate to the criminal charges brought against Mr Salmond.

    He insists he is "innocent of any criminality" and said he would defend himself "to the utmost" in any court case.

  17. Here's the motion calling for the establishment of Salmond inquiry committee....published at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    MotionImage source, Scottish Parliament

    Parliamentary Business Minister Graeme Dey moves the motion that will, if passed at decision time, establish the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints.

  18. Proposals must result in tangible and meaningful actionpublished at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Deputy convener of the rural economy committee Gail Ross
    Image caption,

    Deputy convener of the rural economy committee Gail Ross

    Deputy convener of the rural economy committee Gail Ross says everyone wants this sector to succeed as it can make a crucial difference in rural and remote communities.

    Sea lice and gill disease are challenges to the industry she says, and suggestions to tackle this included close-containment or improved reporting.

    She welcomes the recent good news on the decrease in the number of seals being shot by farmers.

    The proposals must result in tangible and meaningful action, Ms Ross concludes.

  19. 'We will not be kicking this particular can down the road'published at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing accepts the need to meet the challenges fish farms currently face.

    Mr Ewing insists he will do his best to ensure the direction of travel of government policy will reflect the tone of this debate.

    He says it is fair to say the sector is investing very heavily to improve the health of its fish.

    Rural Economy Secretary Fergus EwingImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing

    "We will not be kicking this particular can down the road," says Mr Ewing.

    The minister reiterates his determination to act swiftly, allowing the groups that have been set up to consider all the evidence from the committee reports.

  20. Fish farms must be appropriately located says Tory MSPpublished at 16:48 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Tory MSP Peter Chapman
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Peter Chapman

    Tory MSP Peter Chapman says the fish farming sector contributes economically and creates well-paid jobs.

    It has also made salmon affordable, he adds, and praises the health benefits of the oily fish.

    There is no doubt that there has been poor regulatory compliance in the past, he says.

    So Mr Chapman argues that fish farms must be appropriately located going forward and ensure we better understand the impact of the farms on wild salmon.

    The industry takes the high mortality levels very seriously indeed, he adds.

    The Tory MSP welcomes SEPA's plan which on improving regulations went out for consultation.