The new agency will ensure national alignment, Mr Ewing says.

It should be able to take on its new legislative functions from 1 April next year, he explains.

If the parliament approves the bill we will begin to recruit the leadership team immediately so they are involved in its establishment, the cabinet secretary tells the chamber.

Mr Ewing says the new agency reflects the government's commitment to the south.

The minister highlights the Borderlands Growth Deal.

The new body needs to learn to walk before it runs, says Mr Ewing, arguing the new agency will tackle inequalities.

Image source, Getty Images

The case for key projects in the Borderlands growth deal should be completed by the summer.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell praised the five councils involved for the "huge progress" being made.

He said they were working towards a timetable to deliver heads of terms - an outline business case - after English council elections in May.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says the new body will focus on inclusive growth, supporting a diverse and resilient economy, and responding to the distinct needs of the south economy.

"We couldn't have got here without the support of those in the south of Scotland."

We want to ensure the agency is rooted in the south and driven by the south Mr Ewing says.

He goes on to praise the South of Scotland Enterprise Partnership, the forerunner to the new agency.

£6m is going towards the development of a learning network to boost skills in the region he adds.

Image source, Getty Images

MSPs will now debate the South of Scotland Enterprise Bill, external for the first time.

The bill was first introduced in October 2018, following the Scottish government's skills and enterprise review which concluded more support was needed for the region.

A SPICe briefing on the bill is available., external

Image source, bbc

Scottish Green MSP John Finnie says all members wish to see a successful tourist industry in the area.

Mr Finnie asks if Mr Ewing now accepts his characterisation of the situation as a shambles.

"I fully accept the situation is disappointing," replies the minister.

Mr Ewing reiterates his point that HIE acted to keep snowsports continuing on the hill.

He goes on to says snow making machines could be game changing and praises HIE for procuring said machines.

Tory MSP Edward Mountain says there is little to attract families to Cairngorm mountain and he asks about cash committed to support it.

Mr Ewing says it is impossible to say how much money will be required until we have all the facts.

Recommendations from a review regarding the funicular will be published shortly, he says.

Image source, bbc

Ms Grant asks if CairnGorm Mountain Ltd were in breach of contract when they went into receivership.

The minister replies that is specifically a legal question.

Mr Ewing insists HIE were faced with having to act to maintain skiing in the Cairngorms.

He says HIE staff tried to manage an exit to avoid the courts, to allow snowsports to continue.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says it is an "extremely disappointing situation" and HIE has been asked for a full account of the situation.

It is important we know work together to secure the future of CairnGorm, he adds.

Ms Grant says concerns about the management of CairnGorm have been expressed for some time.

What financial checks were made of Natural Retreats before they gained the management contract and while it was running, the Labour MSP asks.

The cabinet secretary says he is "well aware" of the concerns.

HIE carried out due diligence financial checks for Natural Retreats and HIE was also assured by two forms of security: an inter-company guarantee and a personal guarantee from the main stakeholder, Mr Ewing explains.

Appropriate checks were carried out at every stage and where appropriate professional advice was sought, he insists.

The private company that ran CairnGorm mountain went bust in November leaving behind a broken mountain railway and a failed plan to bring millions of pounds of much-needed investment to the snowsports centre near Aviemore. What went wrong?

From the beginning some people said what was promised at CairnGorm Mountain was too good to be true.

When Natural Retreats - a company until then most identified with running a holiday rentals company - took over, it promised a transformation.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant queries action to be taken regarding dealings with Natural Retreats and CairnGorm Mountain Limited, in light of the recent BBC investigation.

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford says the performance of Network Rail has simply not been good enough and calls for its running to be devolved.

Mr Matheson agrees, not surprisingly, pointing to failures by Network Rail.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth says the remedial plan says ScotRail will continue to fail its punctuality targets until 2020.

Mr Smyth asks if the minister believes ScotRail will ever meet the target and if so when.

That's not for the remedial plan, that's for the Donovan review, replies Mr Matheson.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says he wants this franchise to succeed but passengers are bearing the brunt of service cancellations.

What is in this plan that passengers will see tangible improvements now and not in 12 months, he asks.

Mr Matheson says ScotRail has to improve now or be in breach of contract.

He says more staff are being recruited and delivery of the new Hitachi 385s will increase capacity on the busiest routes.

Image source, bbc

Mr Rumbles says people in the north east have seen their services deteriorate, so the remedial plan has not worked.

The Lib Dem MSP asks if the government will terminate the contract if performance targets are not met by April next year.

Mr Matheson says he no longer believes the franchises are fit for purpose.

He says if ScotRail fail to follow the remedial plan commitments then they will be in default of the franchise.

If that is the case the contract can then be terminated, he explains.

Image source, bbc

Spending on the day-to-day running of Scotland's rail network is set to increase.

The money is designed to improve the performance of track and signalling, as well as reduce delays.

The spending is part of a long term investment plan for Scotland's railways which now see more than 100 million passenger journeys a year.

Over the next five years the budget for track maintenance and renewal work alone will rise by 21%.

Transport Minister Michael Matheson says ScotRail is investing £18m into the plan to make improvements over the next year.

Recruitment of 30 more conductors by July 2019 and of 55 drivers by May 2020 is also planned, he adds.

Mr Rumbles says there have been three improvement plans in three years under two cabinet secretaries, yet more cancelled trains, late trains and full trains.

Why should passengers have any faith in this third plan, he asks.

Mr Matheson says the previous improvement plans are different from the remedial plan, which seeks to implement specific measures to end a breach of agreement.

We have seen improvements in some areas, the transport secretary insists, but he accepts cancellations in the east of Scotland have occurred due to staffing shortages.