Ms Todd says there will always be people not suitable for certain roles due to pass behaviours and so we will ensure they are legally prevented from carrying out that role.

But we must also support those who have come into contact with the criminal justice system in childhood and adolescence, she states

She points out that this contact can severely impact the lives of care-experienced young people, who are more likely to have entered the criminal justice system.

We will make a responsive, digital first system and move away from the slow, onerous system she adds.

Image source, Getty Images

Measures to strengthen the protection of children and vulnerable people, while simplifying the system of applying for criminal record checks, have been introduced to Parliament.

The Disclosure (Scotland) Bill , externalwill make the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme mandatory for anyone working with children and vulnerable people, such as sports coaches.

Following a consultation, the government pledged to publishthis bill to strengthen the protection of children and vulnerable people.

Current arrangements will be simplified, but will become mandatory.

At the moment membership of PVG is for life, but ministers say it should be renewed every five years.

The legislation will also allow minor criminal offences committed as a young person not be disclosed to allow people to have a better chance to move on and contribute to society.

Read more about the bill's genesis here

Image source, bbc

Children's Minister Maree Todd says responses to the consultation on disclosure demonstrated a need to make it simpler, as the same time as strengthening its ability to protect the most vulnerable.

This bill will deliver a range of reforms on the protection of vulnerable groups, she adds.

But people which convictions who now lead law abiding lives must be able to carry on with their lives, she tells the chamber.

Ms Todd says the scheme will focus on those who have power and influence over children and vulnerable adults.

MSPs are to be asked to strengthen the protection of children and other vulnerable people in a Bill just published at Holyrood.

Membership of the current scheme called Protecting Vulnerable Groups -- or PVG --will be made mandatory, and it'll be made renewable every five years.

The Disclosure (Scotland) Bill follows the revelation that many coaches in youth sports hadn't completed disclosure procedures.

Image source, Scottish Government

The fourth ministerial statement of this week is on the planned Disclosure (Scotland) Bill.

Announced last September in the programme for government, the legislation is expected to simplify the current system of disclosure to help people with convictions get back into work.

Mr Dey says the US is an important trading partner and we do not need to leave the EU to trade successfully with it.

The Scottish government is opposed to any deal which will lead to a reduction in environmental or safety standards, or which would leave the NHS vulnerable, he adds.

Reality Check

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Along with the pomp, protests and politics, President Trump's visit to the UK brought renewed debate about whether a post-Brexit trade deal between the two countries could involve opening up the NHS to US companies.

Mr Trump told a press conference: "When you're dealing with trade, everything's on the table - so the NHS or anything else".

He quickly rowed back, saying he did not consider the NHS to be part of trade - though not before MPs from across the political spectrum had come out to say the health service was "not for sale".

The question is what "for sale" would actually mean.

Read more.

SNP MSP Emma Harper asks about the potential impact on Scotland of President Trump's recent comments regarding Brexit, including it being an opportunity to strengthen trade between the United States and the UK.

Image source, Getty Images

Legislation which could pave the way for a new Scottish independence referendum has been tabled at Holyrood.

The Scottish government wants to put the question of independence to a new public vote in the second half of 2020.

However, the Referendums (Scotland) Bill does not set a date or question, with ministers seeking agreement with the UK government

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said "now more than ever it is essential that we keep Scotland's options open".

Read more.

Parliamentary Business Minister Graeme Dey says the constitution committee will consider the timetable for the bill.

I’m in no doubt whatsoever that the scrutiny will be intense and it will also be open to amendment, he adds.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson asks about the circumstance under which ministers would use the provisions in the bill.

Mr Dey insists legislating to allow referendums is a normal and reasonable thing to do.

In the years to come this government or anything government would be able to bring a question forward to a referendum, he explains.

MSP quiz constitutional relations ministers about indyref2 and Brexit, after SPCB questions.

Tory MSP Bill Bowman asks about progress with the Refendums (Scotland) Bill.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Questions is next.

Image source, Scottish Greens

Coming up...

• 14:00 Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Questions

• 14:15 Portfolio Questions: Government Business and Constitutional Relations

• 14:35 Disclosure (Scotland) Bill: Ministerial Statement

• 15:05 Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1 Debate

Ms Gougeon tells the chamber 104 MSPs are now species champions, which is 80% of the parliament and calls on the remaining 20% to sign up.

Image source, bbc

Natural Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon says as ever this is an interesting and important debate.

Ms Gougeon highlights the very, very delicate balance our environment faces and cites the challenges ahead.

The minister says biodiversity loss is as important as climate change and she wants Scotland to be at the forefront of stopping it.

Image source, Getty Images

On land, in the seas, in the sky, the devastating impact of humans on nature is laid bare in a compelling UN report.

One million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction.

Nature everywhere is declining at a speed never previously seen and our need for ever more food and energy are the main drivers.

These trends can be halted, the study says, but it will take "transformative change" in every aspect of how humans interact with nature.

Read more.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin says human beings are endangering the natural balance of the environment due to climate change.

Therefore we have a "moral duty" to find a solution, she argues.

She tells the chamber of her recent efforts to release a seal that had gotten tangled in old fishing gear, leading to her being bitten on the wrist.

"Members will be aware off the origins of Spiderman," she says.

"Who knows what that seal bite gave me?"

Though the member jokes she has yet to see an increase in her swimming skills.

Regeneration and creation of new woodlands will be important in our biodiversity efforts going forward, Ms Martin states.