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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 dealagreed between the Scottish government and Scottish Greenswill 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.

Environmental groups believe the initiative will help reduce congestion and air pollution in the country's towns and cities by encouraging motorists to walk, cycle or take public transport to work, as well as raising money for local services.

But opponents say it will simply hit businesses and workers in the pocket - and are sceptical about whether people really will choose to ditch their cars.

Read more here.

Mr Fraser says government advisers criticised the way that data in the budget was being presented.

Turning to tax, he lists a number of business organisations warning about the impact the income tax gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK will have.

And on the workplace car park levy, the Tory MSP says there is a lack of clarity on this policy, asking if GP buildings will be exempt.

SNP MSP John Mason stands to defend the policy, arguing that work has not yet started on it given it will be added to the Transport Bill.

Mr Fraser says there are tens of thousands of workers who commute every day from one council areas to another.

He urges the SNP not to get ahead with the car parking tax.

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Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says this has turned into an omnishambles budget.

Mr Fraser argues families will have to pay more tax for less services.

He pivots to transparency, saying Mr Mackay said he had no more cash but found £148m.

Only £90m of that went to the Greens, says Mr Fraser, with the rest going to the reserves.

Did Mr Harvie know about cash, he asks.

Scottish Green Party co-convener Harvie intervenes to say the £58m is for the teacher pay settlement.

Mr Harvie did not answer his question hits back Mr Fraser.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser argues that the possibility of a no deal Brexit is reason to support Theresa May's deal.

That is a false choice, replies Mr Mackay.

No deal Brexit is not just hypothetical, it is impacting the economy now he says.

"It must be avoided at all costs."

He critcises parties for not taking part in budget negotiations, adding the Greens were the only one who approach them constructively.

Mr Mackay argues the prime minister's Brexit deal would make Scotland poorer, as well as no-deal.

"Any form of Brexit damages our economy and our people."

The chief economist of the Scottish government has published a report, external saying a no deal Brexit major dislocation of the Scottish economy and push it into recession.

The forecast says with no deal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could fall by up to 7%, with the potential for unemployment to increase by 100,000.

This would be an economic shock on the scale of the 2008 financial crisis.

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The deal struck with the Greens - the third in consecutive years - includes:

• £90m for the core local government settlement
• Cap on council tax rises increased to 4.79%
• A move to three-year local authority budgets
• Legislation to allow councils to set a local "tourism tax"
• Power for councils to set a levy on workplace car parking spaces
• Cross-party talks on replacing the council tax

This budget delivers a range of business measures, including a generous business rates relief scheme Mr Mackay insists.

£1.7bn is going to transport and connectivity, he highlights, while a manufacturing challenge fund is also planned.

Turning to social security, he says £435m is going towards the newly devolved powers this year.

The finance secretary argues the majority of Scottish taxpayers will continue to pay less in Scotland than they do elsewhere in the UK.

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Mr Mackay insists if he had followed Tory tax plans £500m would have had to come out of public services.

We've listened to local government on a cross-party basis he argues and details the deal made with the Greens.

Mr Mackay says the Scottish government will convene talks around replacing the council tax.

Council who wish to use a workplace parking levy will be able to do so thanks to an amendment to the Transport Bill, he adds.

Neither Glasgow or Edinburgh are intending to promote this levy next year says Mr Mackay.

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Scottish Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has struck a deal to pass his plans for tax and spending for the year ahead at Holyrood. What are the big ideas and spending commitments?

Click here to find out.

Mr Mackay says the budget increases investment in health and social care to £700m and also includes further funding for mental health.

Overall spending power for local authorities will potentially be up £620m than it is currently, he says.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson asks why every single council in Scotland is having to make cuts.

The Scottish government is giving more money to local councils, responds the cabinet secretary.

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Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh gets us underway by reassuring Finance Secretary Derek Mackay that a super-majority is not necessary for the Budget Bill.

Mr Mackay insists his budget safeguards Scotland as best we can.

He says education remains the priority highlighting £180m to help raise attainment in schools.

Mr Mackay pivots to health citing an increase in the budget for the NHS of over £730m, which he says fully passes on all the Barnett consequentials.

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The Scottish government's budget plans for the coming year are to be formally approved by the Scottish Parliament.

The budget will widen the gap between how much income tax higher earners in Scotland pay compared to the rest of the UK.

But it will also provide extra funding for education, the health service and infrastructure.

The SNP government struck a deal with the Scottish Greens last month that will ensure the budget passes.

As part of the agreement, councils could be given new powers to introduce taxes on workplace car parking spaces and tourism - with the government also agreeing to increase core local government funding by £90m and to hold cross-party talks on replacing the council tax.

• Will Scotland introduce a 'latte levy'?
• Will you have to pay to park at work?
• Read more here

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That's lunch!

Holyrood Live will return at 2:30pm to bring coverage of the stage 3 Budget Bill debate.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse says the Scottish government's plans on transport will see emissions decrease.

Innovative approaches to low-carbon transport also have the ability to bring economic benefits, he adds.

There are 1,000 charge points throughout Scotland, making it one of the largest networks in Europe, says the minister.

Mr Wheelhouse commits to increasing the size of the network and ensuring it is maintained.

The Scottish government is also tackling freight emissions, introducing incentives for bus services, and promoting active travel he tells the chamber.

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The Scottish government is to seek fresh independent advice on its climate change targets after the latest warning on rising global temperatures.

An international report, external has said the world is currently heading for a 3C rise, way above the 1.5C target.

A coalition of charities has called on Scottish ministers to strengthen the forthcoming Climate Change Bill.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said action was a "massive priority" but Scotland's record was "exemplary".

• Scientists urge rapid change to curb warming
• Campaigners urge Scottish ministers to 'up their game'
• Read more here

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Labour MSP Colin Smyth points out it is clear Scotland won't meet its environmental goals without a multi-modal change in transportation.

Mr Smyth argues more needs to be done to ensure greener vehicles are not just a luxury for the better off.

He says the clock is ticking when it comes to the development and support of Ultra Low Emisson Vehicles (ULEVs).

More should be done to explore the use of battery powered trains, he says and adds there should be more publicly owned bus companies.

Image source, REUTERS

Scottish scientists have developed a liquid battery which could charge electric cars in seconds.

A team at the University of Glasgow has created a prototype system that could revolutionise travel.

The technology uses a metal oxide - described by researchers as an "exotic rust" - that can be charged with electricity when added to water.

Drivers would use filling stations to refuel their electric cars, driving away instantly once a battery is full.

Read more here.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says the purpose of this debate is to stimulate a conservation on making transport sustainable and affordable.

Transport emissions count for over a third of Scotland's total emissions, with road transport being the largest source Mr Greene tells the chamber.

There is an insufficient number of charging points for electric vehicles, which leads to range anxiety, he says.

The Tory MSP highlights the possible benefits of battery power technology.