Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says good progress has been made in the last 12 months, pointing to the launch of six benefits.

We recognise the challenges ahead but we are confident the work the agency is putting together will stand us in good stead, she states.

The creation of the new Scottish Child Payment will not impact on the delivery of disability benefits, Ms Somerville insists.

She says consideration is ongoing about a permanent base for Social Security Scotland but the 18-month contract on its current home will continue on a six month rolling basis.

Image source, Getty Images

There is no clear understanding of what is needed to deliver welfare payments to Scotland's expected 1.4 million claimants, Audit Scotland has said.

The warning from the spending watchdog comes as the Scottish government prepares to take over control of 11 benefits from the UK government.

So far almost £90m has been spent on delivering the new benefits system.

However, Audit Scotland said it was still unclear what the overall cost would be.

In its report, external, the spending watchdog said that while the delivery of the first two benefits to be taken on by Social Security Scotland had gone well, the real challenge lay ahead.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Shona Robison says it was a proud moment for her and all MSPs when the Social Security Bill was passed.

Great credit must go to those who campaigned for Scotland to have control over benefits policy and this is a good start, she says.

The former health secretary says the Audit Scotland review showed the Scottish government had met its commitments for the first year.

The spending watchdog said the government has done a good job of delivering its first set of devolved benefits, but the real challenge is still to come.

Read more from Audit Scotland here., external

Ms Robison concludes: "We can create a system with the people of Scotland, for the people of Scotland."

Image source, PA

Social Security Scotland is the Scots welfare agency set up after the passage of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.

Alongside the legislation, it is also guided by the social security charter, external which sets out principles behind the organisation.

Headquartered in Dundee and with a second base in Glasgow, the agency will deliver a range of devolved benefits as set out in the Scotland Act 2016.

It is already delivering the Best Start Grant, Funeral Support Payments and the Carer's Allowance Supplement. The Young Carers Grant will be introduced shortly.

SNP MSP Shona Robison is highlighting the first anniversary of Social Security Scotland, the Scottish welfare agency.

Here is her motion...

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Ms Sturgeon says third sector funding of over £2m is being provided for blood borne viruses and sexual health.

We will continue to tackle the false myths around HIV she says, highlighting people with the condition can live as long as those without thanks to treatment.

Mr Whittle praises Gareth Thomas and condemns some journalists actions around this.

He calls for a public campaign to end HIV stigma.

Ms Sturgeon echoes his comments on Gareth Thomas.

She says the media have a part to play in disseminating information on HIV and agrees there is an argument for a campaign given the successful introduction of PrEp.

Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks about action to tackling the stigma surrounding HIV.

Gareth Thomas has revealed he is HIV positive, saying he wants to "break the stigma" around the condition.

The former Wales and British Lions rugby captain said he wants to show how people with HIV are misrepresented as needing walking sticks and "close to dying".

He has also spoken about "shame" and "fear" of keeping his condition secret.

Thomas, 45, completed the Ironman triathlon in Tenby, Pembrokeshire after making the announcement - cheered on by crowds.

He finished the gruelling challenge in 12 hours and 18 minutes with high emotion along the way.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks if the online learning package is available to police officers.

These are operational matters for the police constable says the first ministser

Labour MSP David Stewart says nine years ago two of his young constituents died due to drug dying.

Mr Stewart asks why introducing drugalysers in Scotland is taking so long, as has the introduction of these drug drive limits.

The first minister says the new law will ensure Scotland has a more stringent approach to drug driving than anywhere else.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan seeks a response to reported concerns regarding the number of police officers available to enforce a crackdown on drug driving.

Concerns about the number of police officers available to enforce a crackdown on drug driving made the front page of the Scottish Daily Mail on Monday.

From 21 October a new law will make it easier for the police to target people driving with illegal drugs, such as cannabis and cocaine, in their bloodstream.

Responding to a question from Stuart McMillan, the first minister says the new laws will ensure we have the UK's most robust laws on impaired driving.

Preparations are a matter for the chief constable, with extensive training of relevant officers underway she adds.

Mr McMillan asks about the benefits the legislation will bring to the NHS by freeing up doctors' time.

Ms Sturgeon says the legislation does not require evidence of impairment, meaning doctors might not be required at police stations - though blood testing may be required in some instances.

SNP MSP Tom Arthur calls for the first minister to reiterate that she will always stand up for the rights of EU citizens in Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon says she was reassured that EU citizens feel more safe and comfortable in Scotland than rUK.

The first minister calls on the UK government to stop this anxiety for EU citizens.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay asks why no-one in the government accepts responsibility for failure on unemployment and hospitals

The first minister says Mr Findlay is talking nonsense on this and points to the health secretary announcing astatutory public inquiry into the issues at the Sick Kid's in Edinburgh.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill urges Asda to meet with GMB union and treat its female employees with respect.

Ms Sturgeon agrees Asda should engage with trade unions.

Green MSP Ross Greer says tomorrow children and young people around the world will take part in climate strikes, but expresses concern about college students losing their bursary because of it.

The first minister says students engaged in peaceful protest should not lose their bursary because of it.

SNP MSP Clare Adamson says research shows the 21.5% decrease in deaths due to alcohol in Glasgow since the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol.

"I am very proud this parliament introduced minimum unit pricing," replies Ms Sturgeon.

She says the evidence shows it is working.

Tory MSP donald Cameron asks if the first minister has ever used a private or party e-mail address to conduct Scottish government business.

The first minister says her most of the way she conducts government business is on paper.

Ms Sturgeon says the government will continue to respond to FOI requests on any issue.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says it has been one year since this parliament voted to end P1 testing.

Why has it continued despite this, he asks.

The first minister says an independent review of P1 assessments was carried out in the aftermath of the vote and changes were made on the back of that.

Assessments in schools are proportionate and right, she insists.

Mr Rennie says the first minister is outraged when Boris Johnson "tramples all over parliamentary democracy" but it not when Education Secretary John Swinney does the same.

He says experts and teachers are against the tests and again calls for them to be scrapped.

Ms Sturgeon says the review concluded P1 assessments should continue and research has shown teachers see them as positive.