Image source, AFP

That's all from Holyrood Live today, Tuesday 3 September.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to demand Holyrood be given the power to hold a second independence referendum.

Ms Sturgeon confirmed to MSPs that she would "seek agreement to the transfer of power that will put the referendum beyond legal challenge".

As she unveiled her government's plans for the year, she said the parliament had a clear, democratic mandate.

The first minister's speech also detailed the 14 bills and other measures the Scottish government intends to bring forward over the next year.

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External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop calls for both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to find a sustainable solution for Gaza.

Ms Hyslop adds the end of the blockade of Gaza needs to go hand in hand with a cessation of violence on both sides.

The right to worship is a key human right, explains the minister and she argues peace in the region is only possible if everyone is treated equally.

She says she has written to the UK government to recognise the state of Palestine and stresses the Scottish government's support for a two state solution.

The external affairs secretary commends the work of the Balfour Project.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says she is saddened to have to bring this topic forward for debate this evening.

"We abandoned Palestine shabbily and shamefully," she says.

Only by seeking and achieving equality of rights and the right to self-determination can there be last security between Israel and Palestine, she insists.

Recognition of Palestine alongside Israel does not de-legitimise Israel, Ms Beamish tells the chamber.

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Labour MSP Claudia Beamish leads a member's debate entitled "Towards an Independent Palestinian State, a Scottish Proposal".

Ms Beamish will call for action towards an independent Palestinian state and commend the work of the Balfour Project in advancing the education of the British public in the history of Britain’s involvement in the Middle East.

In March 2019 the Balfour Project held conferences at Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities to examine Britain’s historical responsibility for this tragedy, and to explore what our Government and civil society can do now to advance equal rights for all who live between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River.

Click here for a BBC profile of the Palestinian territories.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth calls for hill farmers to be prioritised in any support measures in the future, saying they are the most vulnerable.

Mr Ewing agrees hill farmers must benefit from convergence monies if the pledge is fulfilled by the UK government.

Scottish Tory MSP Peter Chapman says everyone in the chamber agrees this convergence money should have come in its entirety to Scotland.

Mr Chapman asks how the cabinet secretary plans to spend the money when it comes back.

Mr Ewing welcomes the support of Scottish Conservatives in this campaign to get the convergence money.

The rural economy secretary says the cheque from the UK government is not only not in the post, it is not yet signed or written, so it cannot be spent yet.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing thanks his colleagues for cross-party support regarding the repatriation of convergence funding for farmers.

He says he looks forward to the recommendations of the farm funding review being published.

Mr Ewing welcomes a pledge made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to repay the £160m but expresses concern than correspondence with Defra since then has not confirmed this.

Farming is devolved and the funding must come without strings, he adds.

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The Scottish government has called for assurances amid uncertainty about the repayment of £160m to farmers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently said the disputed EU funding would be repaid to Scottish farmers.

However, BBC Scotland has seen a letter from Defra to the Scottish government which said UK allocations depend on the results of a review.

Scotland's Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing called on Mr Johnson to keep his promise.

The UK government said it would shortly be publishing the recommendations from the independent review.

• Row erupts over EU farming subsidies
• Read more here

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing will now give a statement calling for the repatriation of EU Convergence Funds of £160m to Scottish farming.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently said the disputed EU funding would be repaid to Scottish farmers.

However, BBC Scotland has seen a letter from Defra to the Scottish government which said UK allocations depend on the results of a review.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth says his party supports action to protect jobs at the yard.

He calls for an inquiry into the events that led the yard going into administration and wonders where the work to secure its future will come from.

Mr Mackay says he will do what it takes to ensure ferries are completed and jobs are protected.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says today's statement raises more questions than it answers.

Mr Greene asks if the government is happy with the levels of mediation and arbitration taking place and wonders when the ferries will be delivered.

What will the cost be and what are the job implications of the yard, asks the Tory MSP, as he calls for a full public inquiry.

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Mr Mackay says the government is establishing a programme review board that will look at the cost and timescale of completion of the work on the ferries.

"We will get those figures to parliament as soon as we have them."

The finance secretary says in terms of the dispute the government is looking to ensure there was the diligence that everyone would have expected.

Economy Secretary Derek Mackay furnishes parliament with details of the recently nationalised Ferguson shipyard.

He insists his priorities are to ensure the ferries are completed and protect the workforce.

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The Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow has been nationalised by the Scottish government.

Ministers will now operate the yard under a management agreement with administrators, which will see the Scottish government buy the facility if no private buyer is found within four weeks.

Ferguson has been involved in a dispute with the Scottish government over the construction of two ferries for CalMac.

About 300 people work at the yard.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

The Scottish government will now give a ministerial statement on the recently nationalised Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow.