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One in 10 workers in Scotland was unable to pay a gas or electricity bill at least once last year due to a lack of money, a report found.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) said 101 respondents from 1,009 people surveyed said they had run out of money before pay day in the last 12 months.

The poll, conducted for CAS by YouGov, found 7% of respondents had run out of money once or twice while 2% had done so "more than six times".

Renewed definitions of fuel poverty last month revealed 583,000 Scottish households are in fuel poverty while 293,000 are in "extreme" fuel poverty.

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says no-one should be forced to choose between heating or eating in Scotland.

However, according to the latest statistics, there are an estimated 613,000 households in fuel poverty and an estimated 174,000 households in extreme fuel poverty.

Mr McArthur says the amendments passed at Stage 2 will ensure the needs of those in rural and island communities are met.

He says it remains to be seen whether rejecting Andy Wightman's amendment on immediate commencement "comes back to bite us", warning against "the revenge of the geek", as some might say.

Mr McArthur says his party will back the Fuel Poverty Bill at decision time.

Green MSP Andy Wightman says it remains disappointing this was not a warm homes bill, as features in the SNP's manifesto.

But we now have a bill that "does its best" to tackle fuel poverty, though the key will be how the strategy is implemented, he states.

Mr Wightman agrees that if the target has any chance of being achieved, the advisory group will be critical.

He regrets that target was not brought forward to 2032, suggesting it was an opportunity to tie this target to others around energy efficiency.

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Labour MSP Alex Rowley says his party will back the bill on the basis that any target is better than no target.

But the target of 5% of households in fuel poverty by 2040 is of little comfort to those in fuel poverty now, explains Mr Rowley.

He says the SNP and the Tories teamed up to vote down the more ambitious target of 2032.

The Labour MSP points out if there is to be any chance of tackling fuel poverty, then there must be an increase in funding.

Mr Rowley calls on the SNP to be bold and not rely on the Tories to kick tackling fuel poverty into the long grass.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson says this bill started out as a "lukewarm replacement for what we were promised" - a warm homes bill.

Now that we have amended it, we can be comfortable that at least we have something achievable in terms of fuel poverty targets he tells the chamber.

He praises the Scottish government for listening to concerns about fuel poverty in remote areas and acting with stage 2 amendments.

Mr Simpson also welcomes the plan to establish an independent advisory panel on progress towards meeting the targets.

A bill that was once lacklustre is focused, strong and achievable, he concludes.

Mr Stewart says he believes the bill is in excellent shape and will help tackle the blight of fuel poverty.

Working with other parties has delivered improved legislation, he adds.

The minister says achieving the target will put Scotland among the best in the world in terms of tackling fuel poverty.

He calls on MSPs to pass the bill at decision time.

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The new definition calculates the proportion of household income required to maintain a satisfactory level of heating and meet the household's other reasonable fuel needs within the home and assesses the extent to which households can then maintain an “acceptable standard of living” once housing and fuel costs are deducted.

Click below for the bill as amended last week and here for our reports on the debate and votes on Stage 3 amendments.

• Bill As Amended at Stage 3 (238KB pdf posted 7 June 2019), external

Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart says the bill is ambitious and he thanks MSPs for helping to improve the bill.

Mr Stewart says the singular fuel poverty target has now become multiple targets, with ones for extreme fuel poverty and the median fuel poverty added.

He says none of the bill's targets will have any meaning unless there is a clear definition of fuel poverty which this bill provides, based on the minimum income standard.

The minister says the new definition is more balanced and a definition of extreme fuel poverty has also been added.

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MSPs debate the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill, external for the final time, having considered Stage 3 amendments to the bill last Thursday.

The bill will:

1. Set a new target of reducing the proportion of Scottish households in fuel poverty to no more than 5% by 2040
2. Provide a new definition of fuel poverty
3. Require the Scottish Government to publish a fuel poverty strategy, and report on its progress every five years

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks about the workload for P1 teachers going forward.

He adds: "Why is the government so determined to carry on with these tests when parliament told him not to do it?"

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Mr Swinney says the tests will help teachers and have been made as convenient as possible.

He points out the motion voted for in parliament called for the assessment of evidence and he has done that.

Green MSP Ross Greer points to the negative effect of these tests and confusion about whether they are formative or summative.

Mr Swinney accepts there is a need to strengthen the rationale for the assessments.

The tests are formative but if you add up their points, they become summative, but that is not their purpose he states.

Mr Swinney says this review does exactly what parliament told him to do, says Labour MSP Iain Gray.

"It does not. Parliament told him to stop P1 testing," he adds.

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Mr Gray accepts the review says the tests have potential but it says the concerns raised by parliament were right and what gives Mr Swinney the right to ignore parliament's will.

Mr Swinney says he has accepted there must be a clear rationale for the diagnostic value of the assessments for teachers and pupils.

The education secretary says the government will look into shortening the assessments.

Tory MSP Liz Smith says the parliament voted to halt the P1 tests last September because opposition parties were listening to concerns expressed by teachers and parents.

These concerns were echoed by other organisations to the Education Committee in January she adds.

Ms Smith asks about educational evidence that convinces Mr Swinney that he is right and others are wrong, given the Reedy review has not looked at other countries that do not start formal testing as early as P1.

She also queries the modifications made in April.

The education secretary insists the Reedy review looked at the educational evidence, which is what parliament asked for.

One of the key points from the review is the assessment which enabled teachers to be confident about the judgement they are providing is correct, he argues.

Regarding modifications, Mr Swinney said he is committed to taken on board and acting on commissioners views as soon as possible.

The education secretary details further recommendations from the review which he endorses.

He says it states it is possible the principles of play-based learning and the assessments are compatible.

Mr Swinney commits to redoubling efforts in terms of engagement and clarification around the assessments.

He says again there is no recommendation to scrap the assessments.

The education accepts there is work to be done and pledges to publish a summary of all Scottish government actions to be taken in the coming months.

Mr Swinney says there is now a far clearer view of P1 assessments and he hopes members will join him in accepting Mr Reedys findings.

Image source, PA

In April we reported changes were to be made to controversial assessments undertaken by children in primary one.

The assessments - branded tests by critics - are designed to measure literacy and numeracy.

Critics want them scrapped and campaigners have urged parents to withdraw their children from them.

The Scottish government said the assessments would be modified as a result of feedback from teachers. However, they will not be scrapped.

• What are P1 assessments really like?
• Postcard campaign urges parents to boycott controversial P1 tests
• MSPs defeat government to call for 'halt' to P1 assessments

Image source, UPSTART SCOTLAND

Mr Swinney says Mr Reedy's conclusions were published today, external and state that the assessments should not be stopped.

The review says they should continue albeit with modifications, says the education secretary.

He accepts the review makes important recommendations about improvements which he pledges to act upon.

The education secretary says fundamentally the key finding is P1 assessments have the potential to play a significant role and should be continued.

Mr Swinney begins by reminding MSPs of the vote taken by the chamber calling for a halt to the P1 assessments.

The education secretary explains that if they were to be stopped, it should be due to independent expert advice.

He says he asked David Reedy, who was co-director of the Cambridge Primary Review Trust and both general secretary and president of the UK Literacy Association, to conduct that review.

The Scottish government gave advice to schools to continue the assessments pending the results of the review, he adds.

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Education Secretary John Swinney will now update MSPs on P1 standardised assessments in a ministerial statement.

Opposition parties have reiterated calls for standardised assessments for P1 pupils to be scrapped ahead of the update.

Mr Swinney announced a review of the assessments in October 2018 after MSPs voted to say they should be "halted".

However, he has continued to defend the tests, describing them as "valuable to young people around Scotland".

All four of Holyrood's opposition parties are against having the youngest pupils sit assessments, and sought to put pressure on Mr Swinney ahead of his statement.

Mr Allan asks what impact the notice of enforcement has had.

The cabinet secretary says in 2018 there was a slight decrease in activity.

The SNP MSP asks for confirmation this dispute does not affect the constructive relationship with Ireland.

It is the government's duty to protect Scotland's fishermen and uphold the law, replies Ms Hyslop.

She reiterates her desire to see an amicable resolution.

Green MSP Andy Wightman, an Irish citizen, says any Scottish claims over Rockall should be renounced.

Ms Hyslop says sustainable fisheries management is the key and the relationship with Ireland is highly valued.