Labour MSP Claire Baker welcomes the appointment of David Martin as one of the co-conveners and the fact it will be autonomous from government.

However she expresses concern that announcing it alongside the Referendums Bill gives the impression the government already has its answer to the constitutional problems.

We will offer a degree of support provided the assembly is free from the government's ambitions for another referendum on independence, she says.

Mr Russell seeks to reassure the member that the Citizens' Assembly will be entirely independent.

I regret that remark from Mr Tomkins, replies Mr Russell, and he says he hopes in time the Tories will change their minds.

The constitution secretary highlights the constitutional crisis caused by Brexit, which has paralysed the House of Commons.

Returning to Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt he says they are "two people who quite frankly I would not send for the messages vying to be prime minister".

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins begins on a consensual note, agreeing there is a role for citizens' assemblies.

He says there are some areas of public policy that parliamentary democracy has struggled to effect, such as preventative spend and long term elderly care.

However, he says this is not what the SNP is proposing, adding the party is instead focused on the constitution.

"This is not a genuine attempt at a citizens' assembly in Scotland" he says and he labels it a "stunt".

"We will have nothing to do with it."

Mr Russell says we must ensure that as far as practicable the conclusions of the Citizens' Assembly must be acted upon.

He confirms the government will ensure its recommendations contribute to positive steps for Scotland's future.

Image source, PA

The Assembly must be led by people trusted by the public Mr Russell says, and he confirms there will be more than convener to ensure gender balance.

Former Labour MEP David Martin have agreed to take up on of these positions, the minster announces.

Mr Russell says the remit of the Citizens' Assembly will be set by its co-conveners following consultation and will be published over the summer.

We intend to engage widely and promote the Assembly over the summer he adds.

Mr Russell points to a new wesite going live this afternoon: www.citizensassembly.scot/, external

Mr Russell outlines the principles of the Citizens' Assembly:

• independence from government with impartial conveners
• secretariat outside Scottish government with a politicians panel of all the parties as a resource
• transparency, inclusion, access and balance
• cumulative learning
• open mindedness, ensuring the public see it as a genuine inquiry

Mr Russell says a growing number of people in Scotland are considering the issue of independence on the back of Brexit and the Tory leadership contest.

This government will continue to do what it can to stop a no-deal Brexit and campaign for a so-called People's Vote, he says.

I am grateful to the three parties who have so far engaged with cross-party discussions on the way forward, he says, adding the Lib Dems have thus far declined the opportunity.

We have to keep innovating in order to keep moving and the breakdown of trust should inspire us to come together to find new ways to address deep-seated division Mr Russell says.

This is what citizens' assemblies can do, he adds.

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Constitution Secretary Mike Russell says he is pleased to update the chamber on the creation of a Citizens' Assembly for Scotland.

Mr Russell says Donald Tusk warned the UK that it must not waste the time accrued due to the extension of the Brexit deadline.

However that is just what the Tories have done, he adds.

Moving on to the race to be PM, Mr Russell says none of the offers from "this tiresome twosome" of Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are real.

Consideration as to whether the Referendums Bill should be accelerated is underway he adds.

Image source, PA

The Citizens' Assembly was first announced by Ms Sturgeon in April - but the plan was largely overshadowed at the time by the first minister also saying shewants another independence referendumwithin the next two years.

The basic idea is for members of the public to be selected, much like a jury, to listen to evidence from all sides in Scotland's constitutional debate, including topics such as independence and Brexit.

They will be able to question experts and other witnesses and discuss things among themselves before making non-binding recommendations on the country's future.

The hope is that this "direct democracy" will help to restore people's trust in the political process by involving ordinary people rather than politicians, parties and other vested interests.

• Read more here

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish government will now give a statement on progress it has made in establishing the Citizen's Assembly of Scotland.

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Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says the net impact will depend on how any tax cut is funded.

Mr Harvie says the implementation of a tax cut will inevitably lead to calls for tax reductions in Scotland.

The cabinet secretary says the Scottish government has set out four tests on income tax, before urging "any incoming" Tory leader to "resister the urge to pander" to membership interests.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser raises concerns about the forecast gap in income tax receipts.

Mr Mackay says the government's tax policies will raise an extra £0.5bn for public services and he commits to balancing finances in a "competent and prudent way".

Image source, Getty Images

Boris Johnson has pledged to cut income tax bills for people earning more than £50,000 a year if he wins the race to succeed Theresa May as prime minister.

The former foreign secretary has said he would use money currently set aside for a no-deal Brexit to raise the 40% tax rate threshold to £80,000.

However during the BBC Tory leadership debate he tempered that to say it was his "ambition" to cut tax for higher earners.

Mr Johnson also wants to raise national insurance - to absorb some of the cost.

Changing the tax system in this way would cost around £10bn a year, according to Mr Johnson. He says the bill could be funded from the £26.6bn of "fiscal headroom".

Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said the proposal showed "how out of touch the Tories are".

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Green MSP Patrick Harvie asks what implications would arise under the fiscal framework if the UK Government made a significant rise in the threshold for the higher rate of income tax.

Image source, Thinkstock/Getty images/PA

Click here for all the questions., external

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Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says the government is on track to deliver the benefit by next summer.

Mr Fraser asks about a Scottish motability scheme.

The cabinet secretary confirms motability assistance will be available and we will ensure people will receive the same level of service once devolved.

Image source, Getty Images

• New claims for Disability Assistance for Children and Young People will start in summer 2020
• This will replace the DWP's Child Disability Living Allowance
• By end 2020, children who receive the highest care component of Disability Assistance will also be entitled to Winter Heating Assistance
• A Scottish government Q&A on devolved benefits is available here, external
• A full suite of position papers, external outlining delivery schedule work is also available

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser asks what progress is the government making with preparing to commence the delivery of Disability Assistance for Children and Young People.

Image source, BBC/PA/Getty

All the social security and older people questions are here., external