Labour MSP Iain Gray says this is a humiliating U-turn for the education secretary.

He says named person policy was a good idea, but the government lost support and arguments over it.

Good intentions do not make for good government and this has not been a good government, he states.

He urges for the cabinet secretary to apologise to people working in the sector for the "mess".

Mr Swinney says the legislation was supported by parliament and this government did what it could to implement it.

Experts have found it impossible to find a way to create a meaningful statutory code of practice, he states.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Liz Smith says she does not believe any tears will be shed this afternoon about the scrapping of this deeply unpopular policy.

Ms Smith asks the cabinet secretary to apologise to those on the frontline, local authorities and families for the general upset this policy has caused over the last five years.

Mr Swinney responds saying he will not apologise for trying to find the best way to put in place measures that will support and enhance the wellbeing of children in our society.

We must ensure the help and support the named person service provides to families continues, says Mr Swinney.

I am wholly supportive of existing good practice continuing he states.

The education secretary confirms parts 4 and 5 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 will be repealed with legislation in due course.

The plan for having a named person in place will now not happen, he confirms.

Mr Swinney says the panel report sets out its priorities in the report:

• additional investment
• GIRFEC policy
• transparency around information sharing
• new suite of guidance

Mr Swinney says from a parent's perspective information will not be routinely shared without their knowledge.

He hopes the information sharing controversy at the centre of the policy has now been addressed.

The cabinet secretary says he will withdraw the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill.

Mr Swinney says a panel of experts explored the option of having a statutory code of practice to address the data protection concerns with the named person policy.

The panel concluded - in a report published today - that we should not include a statutory code of practice, he tells the chamber.

Instead, it said we should rely on existing legislation on data protection which means information sharing must be in line with current laws he says.

We are accepting the panel's recommendations in full, Mr Swinney concerns.

The deputy first minister says instead the government will provide practical help, guidance and support on information sharing, which will be shaped with stakeholders.

Stuart Nicolson
BBC Scotland News

Image source, Thinkstock

The Scottish government wanted to appoint a "named person" to monitor the welfare of every child in Scotland.

The scheme was due to have been rolled-out across Scotland by 31 August 2016 - but that timetable was delayed after the Supreme Court ruled that some of the proposals around information sharing breached the right to privacy and a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Scottish government previously vowed to amend the legislation.

Opponents of the scheme had been attempting to have it quashed by the law courts, arguing that the legislation amounts to a "Big Brother" scheme that will undermine parents, breach privacy and divert resources away from children who are genuinely vulnerable.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Education Secretary John Swinney says the named person service was designed to ensure every child in Scotland would get the support they needed when they needed it.

Mr Swinney says despite the natural primacy of parents, sometimes a child or their family will need additional help.

The legislation was intended to do that, he says.

The cabinet secretary says the Supreme Court ruling led to the Children and Young People Information Sharing Bill in 2017.

The introduction of GDPR has occurred since then, he explains.

Image source, Thinkstock

Education Secretary John Swinney updates MSPs on future plans for the named person policy.

Mr Swinney will refer to the Getting it Right for Every Child Practice Development Panel, external’s report.

Kevin Stewart says the government is updating guidance for homelessness so that local authorities are able to access information they need, he adds.

Mr Balfour says there are concerns in Edinburgh that there could be an increase in applications due to the changed regulations.

Will the government provide additional funding to Edinburgh Council, he asks.

The minister says he and his officials are engaging with councils, and highlights funding for the rapid rehousing scheme.

Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour asks how the government will support councils in upholding the changes to the regulations regarding homelessness registration applications and people having a local connection.

Image source, bbc

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says the new shared equity scheme will be open to all first-time buyers by the end of the year, up to £25,000.

Mr Sarwar asks if existing stock will be included.

This scheme is all tenders, new and existing replies Mr Stewart.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that in December this year the Scottish government will launch a new £150 million national pilot scheme to provide first-time house buyers with up to £25,000 towards their deposits.

The first minister made the confirmation during her programme for government, external.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar asks what the criteria will be for the allocation of funding for the pilot scheme for first-time buyers.

Image source, PA/Getty Images

MSPs will now quiz communities and local government ministers during portfolio questions.

Click here for the full list of questions., external

Here's what we're covering this afternoon: :

2.30pm: MSPs debate the Bill proposal on pre-release access to statistics

2.50-3.20 pm:Ministerial statement: Getting It Right for Every Child – Practice Development Panel’s report. This address the controversial Named Person policy

3.20pm: MSPs debate the Bill proposal on pre-release access to statistics