Summary

  • Watch the whole of first minister's questions again by hitting the play icon and scrolling back to 12pm

  • Davidson asks why parents are 'in the dark' about numeracy levels

  • Sturgeon insists there's more data at every level of the education system now

  • Rennie and Leonard press the government on mental health and Harvie asks about cuts to the Climate Change Fund

  • The first minister cites record levels of mental health spend and staffing, and defends Climate Change Fund

  1. Background: No deal Brexit: 'Food businesses facing extinction'published at 15:23 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Media caption,

    The CEO of the Food and Drink Federation gives a dire warning of the impact of a no deal

    Food businesses could be facing "extinction" from the impact of a no deal Brexit, the Food and Drink Federation has warned.

    CEO Ian Wright told Today a disruptive no deal Brexit is "the biggest threat businesses have faced since 1939".

  2. 'Unlike the SNP we see Brexit as an opportunity'published at 15:19 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Donald CameronImage source, bbc

    Tory MSP Donald Cameron says: "Unlike the SNP, we see Brexit as an opportunity."

    Mr Cameron wants to see the existing withdrawal agreement passed as he says it is backed by Scottish companies.

    He says the Scotch Whisky Association has said on balance the deal stands up well, while NFUS argues, that while not perfect, the opportunity should be taken.

    The Tory MSP points out his party does not support no-deal but argues it is parties like the SNP, who vote against Theresa May's deal, that are increasing the risk of just that.

    Tory amendmentImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Tory amendment

  3. No proposal from Gove on sheep payments says ministerpublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    cabinet secretary

    Tory MSP Edward Mountain says Michael Gove told the rural economy committee yesterday that he was waiting for Mr Ewing to bring proposals to him regarding the sheep industry.

    Not only have we gone to him to discuss a compensation scheme, we have had several face-to-face discussions the cabinet secretary replies.

    There is no proposal from the UK government and it is expecting devolve governments to pay its own costs, despite previous commitments that it would cover these he argues.

    The rural economy secretary insists the best way to break the Brexit deadlock is to put the question back to the people, including an option to remain on the ballot.

  4. Background: Out of the frying panpublished at 15:11 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Douglas Fraser
    Scotland business & economy editor

    MeatImage source, Getty Images

    World Trade Organisation tariffs could effectively block meat exports to the European Union, and would boost food price inflation.

    The Scottish government is warning that removal of those tariffs by the UK could open the floodgates to cheap imports.

    The food and drink sector is warning of a potential £2bn hit to sales, and it is being held back by the freeze on investment.

    Read more here.

  5. Gove non-committal in response to concerns about food and drink industrypublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Fergus Ewing says the UK government could remove the risk to the industry if it said it would revoke Article 50 rather than allow no-deal.

    The rural economy secretary says trading with the EU is at the heart of the food and drink sector's success.

    The seafood industry relies on workers from the EU, adds Mr Ewing.

    He tells the chamber he has written to Michael Gove warning of the importance of the industry to Scotland and listing 10 asks.

    Mr Gove's response was non-committal elucidates Mr Ewing.

  6. Brexit will undermine ambition to double value of food sectorpublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Rural Economy Fergus Ewing

    Rural Economy Fergus Ewing says the food and drink industry will be one of the main sectors adversely affected by Brexit, undermining the ambition to double its value by 2030.

    The sector sustains jobs in our most rural communities and it is rapidly becoming the bedrock of our tourism industry, he states.

    Whisky and seafood are our stars on the international stage, Mr Ewing adds.

    The cabinet secretary announces that in 2017, the turnover of the sector reached a record level of £14.8bn.

    "Last month we came perilously close to jeopardising all of this."

    He says the extension of EU member saves us from punitive tariffs, non-tariff barriers and the loss of trading partners.

    MotionImage source, Scottish Parliament
  7. Background: Scottish businesses fear cost of Brexitpublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    SalmonImage source, Getty Images

    Scottish businesses are concerned about rising prices after Brexit, labour shortages and the loss of European funding, a new study has found.

    They told consultants that Britain's departure from the European Union poses risks to competitiveness, profitability and, in some cases, firms' viability.

    The concerns were highlighted during a Scottish government consultation.

    Only one in 12 of the companies that took part last autumn said they were fully prepared.

    For food and drink, and for the energy sector, representatives highlighted the risk of higher consumer prices.

    Read more here.

  8. Debate: Impact of Brexit on Scotland’s Food and Drinkpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    whiskyImage source, Getty Images

    The Scottish government is leading a debate on the impact of Brexit on the food and drink sector.

  9. Background: Police Scotland numbers at highest level since 2017published at 14:50 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    PoliceImage source, Getty Images

    The number of police officers in Scotland has risen to its highest level since the end of 2017.

    Figures published by the Scottish government show there were 17,251 officers in the national force at the end of March.

    This represents an increase of 77 on the previous quarter.

    The numbers reflect the force's decision to accelerate recruitment to deal with any uncertainty caused by the Brexit process.

    Read more here.

  10. Police number questionspublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Ash Denham

    Tory MSP Maurice Corry, SNP MSP Bruce Crawford and SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson all ask questions on police numbers.

    Ash Denham says the Scottish government does not publish division statistics, but she points to recent Police Scotland statistics.

    Mr Corry says the latest figures show the government is dismantling frontline policing.

    Ms Denham disputes this and highlights police numbers in England.

    Mr Crawford asks about policing costs from the fallout of Brexit.

    The community safety minister says the Scottish government has committed to ensuring the costs are met and the UK government have been written to about this.

  11. Government taking action on Michelle's Law campaign - Ministerpublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Tory MSP Liam KerrImage source, bbc

    Community Safety Minister Ash Denham replies: "We are committed to improving the information and support to victims when prisoners are released."

    Mr Kerr says it's been 36 weeks to the day since the justice secretary promised concrete action on prisoner release during his member's debate on Michelle's Law.

    "In that time, actually, there has been zero action," he adds.

    Mr Kerr cites a letter from the Stewart family to the justice secretary saying they have had no updates and are still encountering confusion. He asks when Michelle Stewart's family will see progress.

    Ash DenhamImage source, bbc

    Ms Denham says Humza Yousaf will reply to that letter when he returns from paternity leave.

    The community safety minister adds that the government is taking a range of actions to improve support for victims in response to the asks from the Michelle's Law campaign.

    The government consultation has looked at improving the transparency of parole, the introduction of exclusion zones and improving electronic tagging availability, she adds.

  12. Background: What is the Michelle's law campaign?published at 14:39 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Michelle StewartImage source, Collect

    Michelle Stewart, 17, was stabbed to death near her home in Ayrshire by her ex-boyfriend John Wilson in 2008.

    Wilson was given a sentence of at least 12 years, but could be approved temporary release after only nine.

    Ms Stewart's family have launched a campaign calling for more input from families of victims in these decisions.

    They want an explicit requirement for the welfare of victims and their families to be taken into account when parole and early release are considered, as well as the creation of "exclusion zones" where offenders cannot go during early release.

    They also want improvements to the victim notification scheme so families are given reasons for an offender's release, and can make representations in person.

    Read more here.

  13. Background: Plan to give victims a say in Scottish parole processpublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Lock and keyImage source, Getty Images

    Victims could be given more of a say in the parole process under new proposals from the Scottish government.

    Ministers are considering reforms after campaigns by victims and their families who feel "let down" by the system.

    Plans put out for consultation include letting victims make representations to parole boards, better communication and improved supervision of offenders.

    Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said the needs of victims should be "at the centre of the criminal justice system".

    Read more here.

  14. Victims' role in temporary releasepublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Tory MSP Liam Kerr seeks an update on bringing forward measures to improve the input that victims and their families have into the temporary release process.

  15. Justice portfolio questionspublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Lady Justice

    Justice ministers and the law officers face portfolio questions, external.

  16. FMQs watch againpublished at 13:22 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

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  17. Consensus breaks out in the garden lobby......published at 13:22 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

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  18. Community pharmacists make vital contribution to healthcare - ministerpublished at 13:21 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    Public Health Minister Joe FitzpatrickImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick

    Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says: "Community Pharmacy Scotland is an important stakeholder in our healthcare system."

    It makes a pivotal and vital contribution at the heart of Scotland's healthcare, adds the minister.

    Mr Fitzpatrick says the network of community pharmacists also play vital role in dispensing advice about medicines.

    He praises the key person centred services they offer, for example smoking cessation and emergency contraception.

  19. Background: Getting medicine to homeless people on the streets of Edinburghpublished at 13:21 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    A pharmacist has been going out onto the streets of Edinburgh prescribing medicine to homeless people.

    Lauren Gibson, an outreach pharmacist from NHS Scotland, tries to recruit rough sleepers to the Edinburgh Access GP practice.

    The project is funded by Health Improvement Scotland and has helped dozens of rough sleepers receive treatment.

  20. Background: Who are Community Pharmacy Scotland?published at 13:18 British Summer Time 16 May 2019

    PharmacyImage source, EPA

    Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) represents community pharmacy owners throughout Scotland.

    Community pharmacists are independent contractors who supply pharmaceutical services to the NHS.

    CPS negotiates with the Scottish Executive Health Department on behalf of all pharmacy contractors, the terms and conditions of service and their remuneration and reimbursement for the provision of NHS pharmaceutical services.

    Visit the website here. , external