Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson asks does the first minister accept that what is described as a positive destination for school leavers may be no such thing?

Nicola Sturgeon replies no.

Ms Davidson says her question comes from the think tank IPPR Scotland which warned that positive destinations can be no such thing.

She says those leaving schools with no qualifications at all is at the highest level since 2011.

Ms Sturgeon says 95% of those leaving school within three months are in work, training or study.

There are more pupils staying on in school after the age of 16, says the first minister.

She also cites improvements in qualifications including more pupils leaving school with five highers.

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Ruth Davidson makes her first appearance at first minister's questions since going on maternity leave.

SNP MSP Richard Lyle seeks an update on the noise surveys of the upgraded section of the M74.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson says the work is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

An ambient noise assessment will be carried out within three months of snagging work being completed, he adds.

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We'll bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions will follow general questions at noon, with the return of Ruth Davidson quizzing Nicola Sturgeon for the first time since going on maternity leave.

Then SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson leads a member's debate on pension credit and mixed-age couples.

After lunch, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will respond to the view into NHS Highland bullying allegations.

Then environment ministers face portfolio questions before MSPs debate the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Bill for the final time.

Convener Bob Doris asks about the diversity of the workforce at Social Security Scotland.

The social security secretary says she is pleased to see efforts on this are paying dividends, particularly around the number who are disabled or have a long-term condition.

This helps to ensure the agency reflects the people of Scotland and the people it will be serving, she adds.

David Wallace, chief exec of Social Security Scotland, says the agency is above the baseline of the general population and work is being done to ensure this does not drop off.

The committee draws to a close, with Ms Somerville saying there is 98% and 100% satisfaction rate from clients at this point.

Image source, Getty Images

Last April MSPs unanimously passed legislation to establish a devolved Scottish social security system.

Holyrood is being given responsibility for 11 benefits, including disability living allowance, personal independence payments and carer's allowance.

The benefits are relied upon by 1.4 million people across the country, and are worth about £3.3bn a year.

The devolution of the powers is being staggered, with the benefits system due to be fully operational by 2021.

The payments will be administered by a new Scottish social security agency, headquartered in Dundee and Glasgow, with 1,500 jobs split across the two sites.

A further 400 people will be employed at smaller sites across the country.

• Look back on the debate and vote on Holyrood Live
• Read more here

Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour asks if the Social Security Committee will be able to take evidence on the draft guidelines for those with a terminal illness or will they have to wait for the finished guidelines.

Mr Balfour says he understands the draft guidelines are out to consultation.

Ms Somerville replies she will look at when that can most usefully be done and adds that the working group will have had a time to feed their thoughts on the consultation.

Ms Somerville says: "Learning the lessons from the way other benefits have been brought in is a good thing."

This gives a good grounding for moving on to the next benefit of child DLA, elucidates the minister.

She goes on to talk about support for people with terminal illness and explains guidance is being developed.

The social security secretary explains the responses to the consultation, which closed in April, which will be looked at by the chief medical officer and the working group that has been set up.

Convener Bob Doris seeks clarification on disability assistance, applications and assessments.

Ms Somerville says the government is on track for the delivery of new claims and on case transfer.

This does require some kind of trigger to ensure a person coming up for reassessment will be transferred by the DWP to the new system to ensure there is no new reassessment, she states.

This is challenging because there are several DWP systems which Social Security Scotland has to link into, she highlights.

SNP MSP Alasdair Allan wonders about the relationship between the DWP and Social Security Scotland.

Ms Somerville says this relationship will be ongoing because the two share clients and it is a good one, despite some challenges.

Agency agreements will be a part of the way benefits are delivered and such agreements have been used by previous administrations she adds.

Regarding split payments, the cabinet secretary says the Scottish government is still determined to deliver this but the DWP has to change its IT systems first.

We are now working with the DWP to test what this would look like, she adds.

Image source, LUKASSEK

Ministers have set out a full timetable for the rollout of benefits run by Scotland's new social security agency.

Holyrood is taking over responsibility for 11 benefits, including disability living allowance, personal independence payments and carers' allowances.

Overall responsibility for all of these welfare payments will sit with the Scottish government from April 2020.

But opposition MSPs highlighted that the full transfer of cases and payments might not be complete until 2024.

Read more here

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Ms Somerville insists the CMS system is not basic and is absolutely fit for purpose for delivery of Wave 1 and will be a key area that will be built on for Wave 2.

The benefits content management system (CMS), Social Program Management, delivers the Best Start Grant and Funeral Expenses Assistance benefits.

Andy McClintock points out modelling is already underway for Wave 2 and a lot of work is being done on bringing skills into the programme.

The social security secretary explains the foundations for the delivery of the rest of the social security programme have been established.

Ms Somerville tells the committee that by the end of 2019 the Scottish government will be delivering seven benefits.

• Full best start grant, funeral expense assistance and young carer grants to be delivered in 2019
• New claims for disability assistance for young people to open in summer 2020
• New claims for disability assistance for older people to open by the end of 2020
• The Scottish replacement for personal independence payments to open for new claims in 2021
• The replacement for carer's allowance to be delivered by the end of 2021, along with some payments of winter heating assistance and cold spell heating assistance

Labour MSP Mark Griffin asks how the experience of the three new benefits so far are shaping the rollout of the next ones.

Ms Somverville assures the committee that lessons are being learned and also discussions with the DWP are also looking at this.

She says for example several applications for best start grants have been made by residents outside of Scotland which must be addressed.

The minister also says the agency is increasing capacity and capability in testing and technical roles.

On 28 February Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed that the transfer of all disability claimants from the DWP to Scotland's Social Security Agency will not be completed until 2024.

Ms Somerville said it was vital to take time to get the transfer right and promised that all payments would be protected and the new Scottish system would be fairer.

However the Tories called for an apology to Scotland's DWP staff.

And Labour called on Ms Somerville to apologise to disabled people left in the hands of the DWP until 2024.

Check hour Holyrood Live report on proceedings here.

Ms Robison asks if there is a specific date for the introduction of the funeral expenses payments.

The social security secretary replies no, but adds Social Security Scotland is on track for delivery in the summer.

She reveals the new name for the benefit as the funeral support payment.