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Mr Harvie says there is clearly a need for wider structural change, such as bringing Network Rail under the control of the Scottish government, "but we cannot wait for that".

The Scottish Green Party co-convener asks what preparation is being made for publicly owned railway.

Mr Swinney says if an operator of last resort was to replace Abellio in 2020, using the break clause, it could only be temporary.

He adds work is under way on a competitive public sector bid.

Staff shortages have caused the cancellation of thousands of ScotRail services since April last year, new figures have revealed.

The scale of disruption caused by staff being trained how to operate new trains saw an average of 46 services a day axed towards the end of 2018.

A total of 2,691 ScotRail services were cancelled due to a lack of staff between April 2018 and 16 January 2019.

ScotRail said it was working "flat out" to improve its services.

Read more here.

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Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie says its been another bad day on Scotlands' railway.

Mr Harvie says this is not unusual, pointing to complaints about people with disabilities not getting a seat and other issues at the weekend.

"The government considers the current performance of ScotRail to be not acceptable," replies Mr Swinney.

The deputy first minister explains the rugby international match at the weekend had an impact, but other issues must be addressed by ScotRail.

• SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks how Aberdeen Roads Ltd will be held accountable for the delays in fully opening the AWPR. The deputy first minister confirms the firm will only be paid when sections of the road are opened, so they have an incentive to do so as soon as possible. 85% of the road is now open, he adds.
• SNP MSP Stuart McMillan highlights the purchase of Texas Instruments in Greenock. Mr Swinney welcomes the news.

Image source, GOOGLE

SNP MSP Sandra White raises concerns about the application for the O2 ABC building to be completely demolished.

The music venue was severely damaged when fire broke out in June 2018at the neighbouring Glasgow School of Art building for a second time.

• How the O2 ABC entertained a city for 143 years

Mr Swinney said hew recognises the concerns raised and adds each council must exercise its responsibilities individually.

There will be a perspective from Historic Scotland that will need to be advised.

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The NHS is under severe pressure. Rising numbers of patients need hospital care - whether in an accident and emergency department, for cancer treatment or for planned operations and care, such as knee and hip replacements. Growing numbers of people are also reporting they are struggling with their mental health.

For each there are strict targets local services are expected to meet across the UK. But what are the chances of being seen in time where you live?

Use our interactive tracker to find out.

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Mr Leonard says we learned this week that the Edinburgh health and social care partnership is facing cost pressures.

The Scottish Labour leader argues delayed discharge is impacting on A&E targets being missed.

He asks when the government will start to listen and start to address the continuing problem of delayed discharge in Scotland.

Mr Swinney replies more resources are going to health and social care integration to assist care in communities.

The deputy first minister insists the government recognises it is better for individuals to be supported in the home and community, where possible.

Image source, PA

Performance at A&E units in Scotland has hit its lowest monthly level since the Beast from the East storm last March, NHS figures show., external

Out of 137,879 people using A&E in December 2018, 89.6% were seen admitted, transferred or discharged within the four-hour target time.

Of these, 199 (0.2%) waited more than 12 hours and 1,361 (1%) waited more than eight hours.

The December figures are the worst against time targets since March 2018.

Read more here.

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Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard asks if the deputy first minister can tell the chamber when the government last met its A&E waiting times target

Mr Swinney replies the performance on A&E waiting times has been a significant challenge but for four years they have delivered the best performance in the UK.

That is not an answer, says Mr Leonard, pointing out the 95% target has not been met since last August.

The Scottish Labour leader pivots to delayed discharge and asks when Mr Swinney believes the promise to eradicate it will be met.

Mr Swinney insists the government is focused that individuals get out into the community as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

Delayed discharges are reducing, he adds.

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Mr Carlaw suggests Finance Secretary Derek Mackay concealed an additional £148m from Barnett consequentials from parliament in the week of the budget vote.

The Scottish Tory deputy leader says it is "sad to see" Mr Swinney now wants to charge people to park at work when he once claimed to be the "voice of enterprise".

"Well, if that wasn't an audition for the next pantomime in Glasgow, I don't know what it was," quips Mr Swinney.

He suggests that applying tax cuts the Tories are calling for would reduce the amount available for public spending by £500m.

Image source, bbc

Mr Carlaw says he marvels at Mr Swinney's theatrics and how he comes out swinging when thenever the SNP is in trouble.

The Scottish Conservative deputy leader points out that SNP MSP Richard Lyle has previously opposed a workplace parking levy.

Why isn't John Swinney prepared to stand up for hard pressed workers, asks?

Mr Swinney says Mr Carlaw has gone "purple in the face" and said it was therefore a bit rich to accuse him of theatrics.

The deputy first minister accuses Mr Carlaw of rank hypocrisy.

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Mr Carlaw says Mr Swinney is not backing working people.

He suggests a £400 annual charge would be equivalent to increasing the basic tax rate of a worker on the living wage to 30p in the £1.

The deputy first minister says what is actually proposed is giving local authorities the power to implement such a levy and they will have to consider its implications.

He points to comments by Tory MSP Graham Simpson in support of localism and a letter sent to the first minister from four Tory MSPs, including Jackson Carlaw, calling for council empowerment.

Stuart Nicolson
BBC Scotland News

Image source, Getty Images

Motorists who drive to work could have to pay hundreds of pounds a year for a parking space under proposals in this year's Scottish budget.

The budget deal agreed between the Scottish government and Scottish Greens will allow councils to introduce a workplace parking levy (WPL).

This would see employers pay an annual tax to the council for every parking space they provide for employees.

Employers could then choose whether to pass on the cost to their staff.

Read more here.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw says many MSPs have been hearing from constituents who are "deeply alarmed" about the possibility of being charged for parking their car at work.

Mr Carlaw insists this is a tax that will hit some of the worst off workers, and pledges his party will oppose it.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney - who is filling in for Nicola Sturgeon while she is in Canada - says it won't come as a surprise that in a parliament where the government do not have a majority, discussions with other parties must take place.

The Tories were spectacularly absent from those discussions, adds Mr Swinney.

He says this is an example of localism in action as the councils will be able to decide if they want to implement the levy.