Andrew Black
BBC Scotland

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A skills shortage in Scotland's technology industry needs to be tackled now to stop companies going elsewhere for top talent, it has been claimed.

Polly Purvis, boss of industry body ScotlandIS, said more people needed to be recruited from universities and colleges, and encouraged to re-train.

Her comments came as the body said Scots tech firms were "optimistic" about the year ahead.

Scotland has an estimated 9,400 technology companies.

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The long-term structural weaknesses of the Scottish economy remain unaddressed because the Scottish government has failed to use its powers, he insists.

We could spearhead an alternative economic strategy to reduce inequality and tackling the climate emergency, he argues.

"It's time for a wholly new approach."

Image source, Scottish Parliament

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Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard says while it is true Scottish GDP growth lagged behind UK GDP growth, this does not tell the full story.

He also highlights output from manufacturing in Scotland rose last year, while in the rest of the UK it contracted.

Mr Leonard criticises the UK government for not supporting a "real living wage" and suggests it has presided over the biggest fall in wages in decades.

He warns about the impact independence would have given the trade relationship with the rest of the UK.

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Uncertainty about the prospect of a second independence referendum and greater devolution of welfare to Holyrood are two of the key risks to Scotland's economy next year, according to experts.

The Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) highlighted these, together with the loss of more than £1bn from the Scottish Government's budget over the next three years, in its latest economic forecast report.

It has downgraded its economic forecast for 2019 to 0.8% - with the "ongoing uncertainty created by Brexit" key in this.

SFC chair Dame Susan Rice warned "uncertainty is a problem for any economy".

Mr Hepburn insists Scotland has the economic foundations to increase inclusivity and pivots to skills, where he "sees excellence every single day" across the country.

The minister reveals the Scottish government will soon publish a future skills action plan.

He says the title of today's debate, "Realising Scotland's Potential", is more optimistic than the Tories motion.

Mr Hepburn concludes saying the Scottish government will continue to work tirelessly to ensure there is a sustainable economic future to the benefit of all.

Business, Fair Work and Skills Minister Jamie Hepburn insists the Scottish government is committed to a sustainable and inclusive economy.

Mr Hepburn argues the greatest challenges facing Scotland's economy are the constraints put on this parliament and the uncertainty of Brexit.

The minister says a no-deal Brexit would impact significantly on the Scottish economy and Brexit has already impacted negatively on businesses in Scotland.

Mr Lockhart asks why the Scottish economy under-performs the rest of the UK.

Mr Hepburn hits back saying Scotland's economy is growing, unemployment is down and productivity is improving.

Turning to skills, Mr Lockhart says Scotland has becoming a low-wage, low-skills economy.

He suggests scrapping the school leaving age of 16 and introducing a new skills age of 18, which would see anyone wanting to leave formal education at 16 receive training.

A lifelong skills guarantee and lifelong apprenticeship schemes would be supported through expanding vocational focused schools, he argues.

We would also introduce second change centres to allow people another change at getting the qualifications they need later in life, including core subjects, Mr Lockhart explains.

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart says while Brexit is creating uncertainty, Scotland's economy has been under-performing for 12 years.

More than 60% of Scottish trade is with the rest of the UK but economic policy does not reflect this.

The Scottish Conservatives would establish a series of trade hubs throughout the UK he states.

Mr Lockhart also highlights the proposal to create an institute of e-commerce to help more firms access online markets.

These proposals would increase global exports and in turn productive and wages, he suggests.

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart is leading this next debate on economic growth.

The motion calls for the Scottish government to create a new policy framework to address "structural challenges", including skills gaps.

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says there are more people under penal measures in Scotland than any other country in Europe save Russia and Turkey.

He questions how the Tories can square this position with calls for more restorative justice.

Under current provisions, people on life sentences remain under scrutiny for the rest of their lives when they are released he argues.

And it is possible to keep some offenders in prison already he adds.

Mr McArthur says sentencing options must be kept under review as called for in Labour's amendment, before confirm his party will support the government amendment.

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As a number of MSPs have referred to Angus Sinclair, one of Scotland's most notorious murderers, died in prison at the age of 73.

He was convicted of four killings, including the 1977 World's End murders, but was suspected of killing four more women in Glasgow the same year.

Sinclair had been in prison since 1982 after being convicted of a series of rapes and indecent attacks on children.

Kevin Scott, the brother of one of the murder victims, described the serial killer as a "monster".

Sinclair was jailed for a minimum of 37 years after being found guilty of murdering Helen Scott and her friend Christine Eadie.

Green MSP John Finnie refers to this morning's evidence session on the presumption against short sentences.

The former senior policeman quotes from the session, agreeing with the sentiment of one witness at the Justice Committee that "punitive populism" is not the way to go.

• You can watch the evidence session by scrolling back the feed to 10:00 if you wish or you can read our reports below.

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I fear this bill is pandering to a certain audience and it is completely out of kilter with the direction of travel, adds the Green MSP.

Liam Kerr refutes the claim his bill is a stunt, pointing out he has spent "the guts of the last two years" on it.

Mr Finnie acknowledges the work that goes into a member's bill but adds confining someone to a room for 37 years is an extreme measure.