Image source, Getty Images

The chancellor has pledged to spend a £26.6bn Brexit war chest to boost the economy, if MPs vote to leave the European Union with a deal.

Philip Hammond vowed to free up more money to help end austerity in a "deal dividend".

However, he said tax cuts and spending rises depended on a smooth Brexit.

Mr Hammond used his Spring Statement to warn that a disorderly Brexit would deal a "significant" blow to economic activity in the short term.

Read more

Now Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will make a ministerial statement to the chamber.

It's on the implications to Scotland's economy and public spending following the chancellor's spring statement.

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine asks what help the Scottish government has given to the former Pinneys site in Annan.

Fergus Ewing responds, saying the Scottish government has provided a £1.7m grant to help support those affected.

He says a £9m investment plan has been announced by the new owners, Altantis-Pak

"Scotland is open for business" he says.

The minister goes on to express regret that the UK government has not matched the Scottish government's funding, which leads to Tory MSP Oliver Mundell of accusing him of playing party politics with a good news story.

The SNP's Joan McAlpine ask the Scottish Government what support it has given to create jobs at the former Pinneys plant in Annan.

Yesterday we heard more than 100 jobs are set to be created at the site, which has been bought by food processing company Bhagat Holdings Limited.

It said production would begin in the autumn.

Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie says he is grateful for the opportunity to express love and solidarity with the people of New Zealand and revulsion at the white supremacist hatred that led to the attack.

Mr Harvie cites anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic sentiment in the mainstream media and asks what the Scottish government can do to tackle the far right threat.

The minister concurs with Mr Harvie where he stressed the importance of education to ensure young people emerge as effective members of our society.

"This transcends party politics."

Tory MSP Liam Kerr also extends his deepest sympathies to all the victims of this attack.

The Tory MSP agrees with Anas Sarwar that this is a job for all of us.

How can we show Muslim communities that they are our neighbours and friends, he asks.

The minister says some of the Muslim leaders she has spoken to were grateful for the shows of solidarity in Glasgow.

"We can call out that hate."

She cites the Tackling Hate Campaign.

The minister agrees an act of solidarity is required and points out the first minister and justice secretary visited a Glasgow mosque on Friday.

These issues were discussed there, she says.

Mr Sarwar stresses this is an issue that must be urgently considered in the weeks and months that follow,.

He says: "I'm sad to say this attack did not surprise me."

The Labour MSP asks what action the Scottish government can take to tackle hate messages on social media.

Ms Campbell says she chairs a group looking at addressing this and argues we cannot remain immune from the toxicity of language that will inevitably bring about attacks as we've seen in New Zealand.

Communities Minister Aileen Campbell says our thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of the victims in New Zealand.

We stand in solidarity with Muslim communities across the world and in Scotland, the minister says.

Police Scotland has stepped up reassurance patrols outside mosques, she says.

Mr Sarwar concurs and adds his condolences.

"This is a fight for all of us."

He points out there is a places of worship security funding scheme in England and Wales but not here in Scotland and calls for one.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed never to say the name of the Christchurch mosque gunman.

"He sought many things from his act of terror, but one was notoriety - that is why you will never hear me mention his name," Ms Ardern said in an emotional address at New Zealand's parliament.

Last Friday's shootings at two mosques left 50 people dead and dozens wounded.

A self-described white supremacist, has been charged with murder.

• Who were the Christchurch victims?
• Stories of heroism emerge from NZ attacks
• The 'precious' mosque where peace was shattered

Glasgow Labour MSP Anas Sarwar asks the Scottish government what action it is taking to provide reassurance to communities in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack.

Image source, bbc

Time for reflection is brought to us by the Reverend Jim McNeil, minister of Alva Parish Church.

We now have a couple of ministerial statements this afternoon:

2.20-2.50 pm: Ministerial Statement: UK Spring Statement – Implications for our Economy & Public Spending (10min statement, 20min questions)

2.50-3.20 pm: Ministerial Statement: Review of Mental Health and Incapacity Legislation (10min statement, 20min questions)

Image source, Getty Images

Glasgow Labour MSP Anas Sarwar will ask the Scottish government what action it is taking to provide reassurance to communities in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Miles Briggs asks if there is one health board that is getting this right in terms of inspections and future proofing the NHS estate.

Some health boards are doing better than others, replies Mr Couser.

The Health Protection Scotland representative points out NHS GCC are actually doing better than the Scottish average.

The committee suspends briefly.

Deputy convener Emma Parker says some maintenance would the contractor's responsibility, especially if it's a big job.

Alastair Delaney agrees.

Tory MSP Brian Whittle says the committee understands that the QEUH is currently sitting at around 300 maintenance jobs as a backlog.

"Is that what you would expect from a hospital of that age and size, is that normal?"

"From our side we sat that number as quite high," replies Alastair Delaney.

Image source, bbc

Mr Whittle asks if that potentially poses a risk to health care.

Mr Delaney says yes, anything like that is potentially a risk to patient care.

The HIS representative says NHS GCC has set priorities for dealing with the backlog.

He thinks the responsibility for this maintenance lies with the health board, as it is not a PFI build.

Mr Delaney says it is absolutely essential the ancillary staff and cleaning staff are properly trained and informed.

"That is certainly something we look at as evidenced by recent reports."