The SNP has backed proposals for a new currency in an independent Scotland - although the leadership was defeated over the timing.

The party's conference voted to replace the pound with a separate Scottish currency "as soon as practicable".

Image source, PA

This went against the wishes of leader Nicola Sturgeon, who had wanted a more gradual transition to a new currency.

Ms Sturgeon played down the result of the vote, and said the party could "move forward with confidence".

Party members also backed the leadership over six economic tests that will "guide" the exact timescale for a new currency - which some left-wing activists had wanted scrapped.

It means that the SNP's official policy is, for the first time, to replace sterling with a new Scottish currency after independence.

Read more.

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Jackson Carlaw does indeed ask about the SNP's policy of potentially scrapping the pound after independence.

In the independence campaign the first minister pledged to keep the pound permanently, the Scottish Conservative deputy leader

"How on earth is dumping the pound in the best interests of Scotland?"

Nicola Sturgeon says the benefit of independence would be taking decisions in the interest of Scotland.

The first minister asks how much value the pound has lost since Brexit.

Image source, Getty Images

You can bet a pound that currency will come up today.

The Times and the Scottish Sun both reported Nicola Surgeon has been accused of not knowing the six key tests to scrap the pound.

Last weekend the SNP backed proposals for a new currency in an independent Scotland - although the leadership was defeated over the timing.

The party's conference voted to replace the pound with a separate Scottish currency "as soon as practicable".

This went against the wishes of leader Nicola Sturgeon, who had wanted a more gradual transition to a new currency.

Image source, BBC/PA

We will now bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions.

Brexit Secretary Mike Russell says he wrote to the UK government at the start of April to express concern about there not being enough time to complete the forms required for EU citizens to be able to vote.

All EU citizens have now been contacted to encourage them to complete the forms, he confirms.

People must register to vote by Tuesday 7 May Mr Russell emphasises.

Image source, Getty Images

SNP MSP Sandra White asks what discussions the government has had with the Electoral Commission regarding encouraging EU citizens living in Scotland to register to vote in the forthcoming European Parliament elections.

Image source, BBC/Getty Images/PA/Scottish Parliament

Click here for the full list of general questions this week., external

Image source, PA/BBC

After general questions we'll bring you extensive coverage of FMQs.

Labour MSP Iain Gray leads a debate marking the 25th Anniversary Commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

MSPs quiz communities and local government ministers during portfolio questions.

The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill will be debated for the final time.

Convener Joan McAlpine asks about ensuring local Scottish crews are used, noting Canada and France have strong mechanisms in place to ensure local talent is used.

Ms Davis says Scotland would benefit from the same co-production treaties at these two countries.

Turning to Creative Scotland, Ms McAlpine asks if more cash should come from Scottish Enterprise.

Mr Munro says he does not want to comment on where it should come from, but insists the organisation would be empowered through direct investment.

The convener draws the session to a close.

Mr Munro insists Creative Scotland works very hard to ensure the impact of its support is felt across the geography of Scotland.

The Creative Scotland representative says there is a tension between the available resource and the ability to respond.

Mr Greene says the Wavehill report highlighted a tension between the leadership team and the board of Creative Scotland.

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How will Creative Scotland respond to this criticism and the accusation of a lack of transparency, asks the Tory MSP.

"It's fair to say things have moved on already," replies Mr Munro.

There's a new chair of the board and Mr Munro points out he is in place now.

"I feel we're already in a much better place."

Isabel Davis highlights the need to better support post-production firms, including editors, to encourage films to be completed in Scotland.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks about Scotland losing out because it lacks post-production spaces.

Ms Davis says you can't win business that you can't service and the appetite is there for Scotland to step up to the plate.

Image source, Keppie

The company whose plans for a major film and TV studio near Edinburgh were thwarted by a tenant farmer has lodged plans for a different site.

PSL Land, the team behind the Pentland Studios project, has now shifted its attention to a site at Saltersgate, near Dalkeith in Midlothian.

It has submitted a planning application for a studio and a film academy., external

The move comes a month after a building in the Port of Leith was identified as the potential home of a major studio.

• New Scottish film studio site announced
• Read more here

Image source, bbc

Isabel Davis from Screen Scotland says Scottish Enterprise have been extremely helpful in terms of developing a film studio.

The Screen Scotland executive director says there is a very close working relationship with SE.

She goes on to say there is a need for signposting and a sort of triage function.

The industry needs high end advice she adds.

SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing raises the film festivals fund and improving awareness of this.

Screen Scotland's communications team has been expanded and we are using social media get the message out there, Ms Davis replies.

Ms Ewing asks about the size of the fund and Ms Davis agrees to write to the committee with this information.

Image source, Netflix

A total of £95m was spent on film and TV production in Scotland in 2017, it has been revealed.

It is the highest amount since records began a decade ago.

Avengers: Infinity War, Outlaw King, and Mary Queen of Scots, are just some of the productions filmed in Scotland recently.

Creative Scotland, which granted funding to several of those filmmakers, has now announced a new £3m fund for television production.

Read more here.

Mr Gibson asks if it would not be better to have one general fund to apply to rather than the nine separate funds in place at the moment.

Ms Davis reiterates the plan is being built on a blueprint built by the industry.

She stresses the need to move toward specialisation and targeting what it is Scotland needs.

If people are confused about what is being asked for through these funds, her team is working on explaining that, Ms Davis says.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks about replacing EU funding.

Mr Munro says there have been conversations about the Shared Prosperity Fund but it is not clear yet whether this will be UK-wide.

We are advocating for it to be UK-wide, he tells the committee.

• The UK government has proposed the Shared Prosperity Fund as a replacement for EU structural funding after Brexit., external

Isabel Davis adds that how finance flows into business is important to enable Scotland to be making films with an international appeal.

Mr Munro says he would always want to advocate more direct resources to be in the hands of Creative Scotland.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks what the optimum funding level would be for Creative Scotland.

The acting chief executive replies that is being reflected upon at the moment, but points out Ireland, Norway and Sweden spend far more per head.

He says getting the spend up to £160m at 0.5% of the budget would deliver the breadth of what Creative Scotland wants to do.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart asks about ensuring creative businesses are supported and managing challenges around this.

Iain Munro from Creative Scotland says much of the organisation's work is focused on growing sustainable businesses.

At the moment there are a range of organisations involved in this and this can lead to complexity he explains.

But Creative Scotland is working with partners to put a better business support network in place, he adds.