Ms Sturgeon replies she is delighted to confirm Frank's Law will begin being implemented on Monday.

This is welcomed by Emma Harper, who goes on to ask if the UK government will not cut benefits to people who receive this care.

The first minister replies unfortunately the UK government rejected calls to do that and the Scottish government will make sure no-one is worse off.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs welcomes the progress confirmed today and ask how a post-code lottery can be avoided.

The first minister says the government will work with councils to avoid this and she commends Amanda Kopel for her efforts in bringing about the law that bears her husband's name.

Free personal care for under 65s with degenerative conditions will be provided from Monday 1 April.

It follows a long campaign led by the widow of former Dundee United footballer Frank Kopel.

Amanda Kopel has been calling for the free care to be made available to everyone who requires it since 2013.

Her husband was diagnosed with dementia at 59 - too young to qualify for free personal care. Frank died 19 days after his 65th birthday in 2014.

SNP MSP Emma Harper seeks an update on the implementation of Frank’s Law.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says Perth College UHI announced the closure of a series of learning centres, warning of the damage this does to rural education opportunities.

Ms Sturgeon points to recent budget increases funding the colleges and universities, but she adds she shares his concerns about the recent announcement.

Next, SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says the opinion of DUP MPs seem to be worth more than the opinions of MSPs and Welsh assembly members.

The first minister says it is "absolutely disgraceful" that DUP MPs have more of a say over the future of Scotland than this parliament does.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay goes back to Brexit asking if the first minister thinks the chaos should be ended.

Ms Sturgeon argues the only people that don't think the prime minister's deal is dead are the Scottish Conservatives.

She points to the SNP amendment that would revoke Article 50 in the face of no deal and Scottish Tory MPs did not back itl

Image source, bbc

Soldiers who face paying more tax because they live in Scotland will continue to be compensated by the UK government.

A divergence in rates means that income tax higher earners in Scotland pay more than they do in the rest of the UK.

At PMQs Theresa May said about 7,000 military personnel in Scotland would receive compensation to ensure that all soldiers pay the same across the UK.

Scotland's finance secretary said the MoD "failed to consult" on the issue.

• Military personnel based in Scotland compensated for tax rises

Tory MSP Maurice Corry highlights the announcement yesterday that Armed Forces personnel who face higher taxes in Scotland will be compensated by the UK government.

Ms Sturgeon says the progressive system of income tax means people on higher incomes pay a little more, while MOD employees in England who are lower paid actually pay more tax.

Ms Johnstone says living up to the targets in the Child Poverty Act must be a priority.

The Scottish Green co-leader calls on the first minister to ensure income and local taxation becomes more progressive.

The first minister replies that more revenue is already being raised by more progressive income tax and local taxation is being looked at.

Scottish Green co-leader Alison Johnstone says it is clear Ms Sturgeon shares her concern about the rising number of children living in poverty.

While we continue to call for UK government policies to end, the Scottish government must do what it can to raise the income of low income families, she says.

Will these families really have to wait until 2022 for a “desperately needed” income supplement, Ms Johnstone asks.

Ms Sturgeon says there will be an update on the work in June.

We need to reach the greatest number of children in poverty and ensure incomes are topped-up sufficiently, she states.

"We must make sure that the money gets to the most in need."

• SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks about the latest data from the Instant Neighbour Charity, external which shows a stark increase in people receiving emergency food parcels from food banks. The first minister says the latest data shows the use of food banks is too high and reiterates efforts to mitigate austerity.

• Independent MSP Mark Macdonald raises the issue of Stoneywood Mill entering administration which now has a preferred bidder. The first minister welcomes the news cautiously and praises the efforts of the workforce.

• Tory MSP Gordon Lindhurst says Edinburgh has the worst pupil-teacher ratio in Scotland and seeks assurances that more will be done to reverse the trend. Ms Sturgeon says the ratio across the country is broadly stable and teacher numbers are increasing.
• SNP MSP Emma Harper says six of her constituents are facing imminent deportation to Tunisia because they cannot afford to pay the fee to process their application. The first minister says she is hugely sympathetic to all those who have to navigate the UK's "restrictive" immigration rules.
• Tory MSP Edward Mountain says from Monday air traffic controls at HIAL will start a work to rule strike and he asks about contingency plans in place to help business will be impacted. Ms Sturgeon says she is extremely disappointed about the strike action and says the matter is going to ACAS.

Mr Leonard says 10,000 more children are in child poverty now.

"Why are you making these children wait?," he asks

The first minister insists the Scottish government is looking to get a policy that gets the maximum number of children out of poverty.

She again details Scottish government mitigation of austerity.

The Scottish Labour leader pivots to child poverty and calls for an increase in child benefit by £5 a week..

The first minister says child poverty has increased due to the welfare cuts being imposed by the Tory government.

It is lower in Scotland than in England and Wales, she says, and details measures the Scottish government is looking at to tackle it, including an income supplement.