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That's it from Holyrood Live on Tuesday 28 May 2019.

MSPs have backed the general principles of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill.

The bill will give children "equal protection from assault" by removing the legal defence for smacking.

MSPs speaking in support of the bill say it will bring Scotland into line with the UN rights of the child.

But Tory MSPs and two SNP MSPs expressed concerns that the bill will criminalise parents.

At decision time, 80 MSPs voted in favour of it while 29 voted against. SNP MSPs Christine Grahame and Richard Lyle abstained.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says it is "sad but very true" that the current social security system does not support people.

The minimum five-week wait for the first payment of universal credit is unacceptable, she states, before highlighting that many go much longer than five weeks.

Ms Somerville says the sanctions system is causing "profound anxiety" for many and there is "mounting evidence" that such an approach pushes people further into poverty.

The Scottish government is building a social security system to ensure we have a service that meets the needs of people in Scotland, she adds.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says social security should be there to provide support and security.

But too often it does the opposite, she argues.

Universal credit increases the scope of benefit sanctions without any evidence they lead to positive outcomes, suggests the Green MSP.

Ms Johnstone says the SAMH report should be used to inform the Scottish social security system going forward.

Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne points out that mental health impacts on an individual's ability to deal with stressful situations and "navigating the maze of benefits will never be anything but demanding".

She argues that supporting evidence for the report pre-dates many of the changes that have been implemented.

Ms Ballantyne adds that over 19,000 staff tasked with delivering universal credit have completed extensive training to prepare them for the role, with plans for delivery of training to a further 34,000 staff.

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The UK government's overhaul of the welfare system to create one universal benefit has not had an easy roll out.

The aim was to create a smoother benefits system that encourages people to stay in work. But it's years behind schedule, linked to rise in food bank use and rent arrears, and critics claim it might make millions poorer.

The controversial new benefits systems completed its rollout for new claimants across Scotland last December.

• What's the problem with universal credit?
• Food bank parcel numbers in Scotland hit record high
• Citizens Advice calls for universal credit 'pause'
• 'Benefit changes adding to mental health problems'
• 'People are worried sick about universal credit'

Image source, SAMH

The SAMH report contains eight recommendations for the UK government, DWP and Scottish government.

The overall message is that no person on legacy benefits should be transferred to universal credit while it exists in its current form.

Two MSPs have quit Scottish Labour's front bench team with the party in turmoil after the European elections.

Neil Findlay quit as Brexit spokesman and also said he would step down from Holyrood at the 2021 election.

He insisted he had made the decision in March, but hit out at "eternal internal fighting" and a "toxic culture of leaks and briefings" by some MPs and MSPs.

Daniel Johnson later resigned as the party's justice spokesman, criticising Labour's "current direction and leadership".

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said he was "prepared to take the flak for what was a poor result" in the European elections, but insisted that he would not be resigning.

Read the full story here.

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Labour MSP Mary Fee says the SAMH report highlights the concerns and fears of those with poor mental health.

Universal credit is creating new and additional barriers leading to more stress, more anxiety and more pressure on mental health, she explains.

Ms Fee highlights that some people are expected to spend 35 hours a week searching for jobs, arguing this is unfair for those with serious and complex problems.

Regarding differences which have been instigated by the Scottish government to elements of universal credit, she highlights calls for issues with delivery to be corrected to ensure it will not harm people's mental health.

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Labour MSP Mary Fee will now lead a member's debate welcoming the SAMH report,, external'It Was A Confusion’ Universal Credit and Mental Health: Recommendations for Change'.

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MSPs back the general principles of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill.

80 vote in favour, 29 were against and 2 abstained.

John Finnie, the member in charge of the bill, concludes the debate by thanking all the contributors and highlights key points made by Mary Fee, Ross Greer and Alex Cole-Hamilton, among others.

The Green MSP, a former police officer, reiterates that 'reasonable chastisement' is antiquated, and argues there should be the same legal protection for all individuals, regardless of their size.

Children's Minister Maree Todd says the government does not expect there to be an increase in prosecutions, in line with previous legislation on child protection and the experience of other countries.

The Crown Office's prosecution code sets out when to take forward prosecutorial action, she tells the chamber.

She points to stakeholders agreeing this bill will bring clarity to the law but send a clear message that physical punishment of children is unacceptable.

Closing for the Conservatives, Liz Smith MSP maintains legislation has to be clear and uncomplicated, based on fairness and the common good, acceptable to the public, and easily enforceable.

She says many in the chamber have "grave reservations" about the bill before them, because it does not meet the "good legislation test"

The bill will remove parental discretion and exposes some fundamental weaknesses in the manner in which it has been scrutinised so far, Ms Smith argues.

Closing for Labour, Iain Gray MSP highlights the right to family life is not an "absolute right" but a "qualified right".

Passing this bill will not achieve improvement of child rights alone, he argues, pointing to child poverty as one challenge children face.

We should change this law before we are forced to do it by a court, the Labour MSP concludes.

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Legislation to ban the smacking of children in Scotland was published at Holyrood on 7 September 2018.

The bill, lodged by Green MSP John Finnie, has been backed by the government and looks certain to pass.

Mr Finnie said children should be given "the same legal protection from assault that adults enjoy".

Other parties are expected to give members a free vote on the issue, with MSPs from across the political spectrum voicing support for the move.

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Legislation banning smacking children in Scotland has won the backing of a Holyrood committee.

A majority of members on the equalities committee backed a bill, put forward by Green MSP John Finnie, to give children "equal protection from assault".

The group's report said that the right to family life does not include "a right to hit children".

The Conservative MSPs on the committee dissented from the report, saying they were "unconvinced" by the bill.

Mr Finnie said he was "delighted" with the support, saying that "prohibiting physical punishment will bring substantial benefits for individuals and society".

The bill looks set to pass into law, with the Scottish government pledging to support it.

• MSPs hear plans to ban smacking 'criminalises parents'
• Smacking ban bill published at Holyrood
• Read more here