Community Safety Minister Ash Denham says between 2016 and 2018, there were 80 offences of soliciting from a person engaged in prostitution.

She adds these figures cover more than just kerb-crawling.

The Scottish government adopts the position that prostitution is a form of violence against women, she says.

A consultation will be brought forward on how to tackle prostitution and support women to exit it, the minister tells the chamber.

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire asks how many arrests were made for offences relating to kerb crawling between 2016 and 2019.

Legislation which made kerb-crawling a criminal offence came into force across Scotland in 2007.

Anyone looking to pick up a prostitute faces a fine of up to £1,000.

Before 2007, the law in Scotland criminalised those selling sex on the streets and largely ignored those who demand their services.

Image source, BBC/PA

First minister's questions is at noon, with Nicola Sturgeon to face questions from Jackson Carlaw, Richard Leonard and Patrick Harvie.

Then SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson leads a debate on Doors Open Day 2019.

After lunch, transport portfolio questions takes place.

This will be followed by a statement on tackling drug deaths.

Finally, the Scottish government leads a debate on avoiding a no-deal Brexit.

Russell Gunson from IPPR Scotland calls for more focus on the small number of families who are in severe destitution but have no recourse to public funds.

We know this is impacting on local authority budgets severely, he adds.

On Universal Credit, he says it has such a bad reputation throughout the UK that it is putting people off of claiming it.

Mr Gunson says this demonstrates the importance of having "positive word of mouth" around the Scottish system as it comes in.

The benefits being devolved from Westminster to Holyrood are:

• Personal Independence Payments
• Carer's Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Winter Fuel Payments
• Cold Weather Payments

Image source, Getty Images

• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disability Benefits
• Funeral Expenses Payments (to be replaced by Funeral Expense Assistance)
• Sure Start Maternity Grant (to be replaced by Best Start Grant)
• Discretionary Housing Payments

Click here for the full timetable for rollout of Scots welfare agency.

Image source, bbc

Rob Gowans says benefits take up is a good thing as it prevents poverty and problems elsewhere.

The CAS representative quotes one of his favourite benefits principles: "Social security is an investment in the people of Scotland."

For every £1 invested in advice, £10 is gained by our clients explains Rob Gowans from Citizens Advice Scotland.

Lesley Newton says the bulk of her resources go towards disability benefits and specifically appeal assistance.

She insists the new Scottish system must get decisions right the first time or else it will dissuade people from going through the process.

Image source, Getty Images

Plans to tackle child poverty by giving extra cash to low-income families in Scotland have been brought forward.

The new Scottish Child Benefit payment of £10 per week will be rolled out for eligible under sixes in 2021, and to under-16s by the end of 2022.

Ministers had been planning a "family income supplement", but were under pressure to bring it forward from 2022.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said the move was "bold and ambitious" and would reduce child poverty.

The move has been praised by campaign groups, with the Poverty Alliance saying they were "delighted". The Child Poverty Action Group called it an "absolute game changer".

• One in five living in poverty in Scotland
• Full timetable for rollout of Scots welfare agency
• 'No clear understanding' of new welfare responsibilities
• Scottish child poverty report backs new and top-up benefits
• Read more here

SNP MSP Alasdair Allan suggests there seems to be political pressure on the Scottish government to "stump up the cash" for an increase in the take-up of UK benefits as a result of its efforts in this area.

Russell Gunson says this would not be sustainable and would seem to run against the fiscal framework.

The UK government should not be assuming anything other than 100% take-up, he adds.

Read the letter to the committee from Scotland's Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville here., external

Ms Sommerville writes the Scottish government will publish a benefit take-up strategy later this year and that it is required before 21 October 2019.

The strategy will focus on Scottish social security assistance being delivered at the point of publication.

In a letter to the committee Alok Sharma, the previous UK employment minister, insisted his department does all it can through its information-providing services to ensure that people are aware of the benefits to which they may be entitled and how to claim them.

He writes information is available at:

• Jobcentre Plus offices and Pension Centres, local authorities & law centres
• Citizens Advice & post offices
• doctors' surgeries and libraries
• the internet
• community groups, welfare rights groups & advice centres

He argues information on benefits is also available on the UK government website at www.gov.uk.

Image source, PA

Lesley Newton points out not all the options have been explored by the time people come to CAS.

The Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau representative has concerns that there is a mission within the DWP just to get people onto UC regardless of their backgrounds or requirements.

Ms Newton reiterates problems associated with those who don't have computer skills and highlights the language barrier EU citizens face at the moment.

We are haemorrhaging volunteers because the role is so complex and stressful, she adds.

Steven McAvoy from ENABLE Scotland says a lack of awareness in the system means people do not necessarily understand what each benefit is intended for.

This can lead to people not realising what changes they need to notify the system about, he adds.

The length of the PIP process also leads to more people dropping off before completing the application, Mr McAvoy says.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Gowans from Citizens Advice Scotland says many people do not know how to claim Universal Credit (UC) online.

One in five people aren't able to use or manage claims online, he explains.

Russell Gunson from IPPR Scotland adds there is a particular problem in Scotland as a lot of the benefits are passported from UC.

Mr Gunson ponders how people who are not accessing UK benefits will then be able to get Scottish benefits.

Neil Cowan from the Poverty Alliance says particular groups have lower levels of awareness about the benefits system, such as people in work.

He also agrees the process can take too much time, with one person he has worked with taking 11.5 hours to fill out of Universal Credit application.