Further recruitment is need at St John's Hospital in Livingstone before the children's ward can resume its 24-hour service, the health secretary has confirmed.

Jeane Freeman said that current staffing meant 32 of the 40 out-of-hours shifts required are covered.

It was announced last week that the efforts to reinstate the 24/7 service had failed.

Ms Freeman was unable to say when the service would resume, but said she would update MSPs in November.

The ward has not been able to provide round the clock care due to staffing pressures since July 2017.

Image source, bbc

Business Minister Jamie Hepburn joins Anas Sarwar in thanking each and every individual that gives their time volunteering in Scotland's Citizens Advice Bureaux.

"Their commitment is absolutely essential," he adds.

The minister insists the government views CAS very much as a partner.

He praises the life changing results CAS achieves and concludes saying it has done fantastic work for 80 years and he hopes it will continue doing so for 80 more.

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Labour MSP Anas Sarwar says celebrates the Citizens Advice Service's 80th birthday praising all its volunteers.

Mr Sarwar details the support it gives to citizens to know their rights and get their lives back on track, citing independent research which says CAS contributes £166m to the common good in Scotland.

He says he is proud his mum and sister have been volunteers with CAS and hopes his children will be too.

The Labour MSP points out there is an increase in demand for advice due to issues including welfare reforms with "the catastrophic introduction of Universal Credit", increased in-work poverty and EU citizens seeking advice.

He points out local authorities are facing significant budget pressures and calls on the Scottish government to address this.

Image source, Google

According to Citizens Advice Scotland..., external

"Citizens advice bureaux first appeared in 1939, when over 200 were established throughout the UK."

"The first Scottish bureau was in Glasgow, but further bureaux opened in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and elsewhere soon afterwards. During the war, more than 60 bureaux operated all over Scotland. And then, as now, the great majority of bureau staff were volunteers."

"Increasing concern was voiced throughout the 1960s and 70s that a London-based information service could not take sufficient account of Scotland's distinct legal and educational systems.

"So, in 1975, the regional office for Scotland – the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (SACAB) - became an autonomous umbrella organisation."

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar is leading a debate to mark 80 years of the citizens advice service.

Here is his motion...

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The scale of dog attacks in Scotland has been revealed as a Holyrood committee considers reviewing the law.

The post-legislative scrutiny committee heard parents of children killed or disfigured by out-of-control dogs detail the horrific attacks endured when owners acted irresponsibly.

MSPs heard from the mother of 11-year-old Kellie Lynch who was killed when two Rottweiler dogs turned on her in Dunoon in 1989.

Veronica Lynch told MSPs: "The injuries she suffered were so severe that we were not allowed to touch her.

"We realised later that she had been decapitated."

Read more.

Post-legislative scrutiny committee deputy convener Liam Kerr says the public often have no idea about the legislation on dog control.

He backs an awareness campaign so more people know about the Control of Dogs Act.

The committee recommended consolidation of dog control law to provide clarity to the police, local authorities and the public, he adds.

Mr Kerr says he is "very concerned" that ministers have not committed to timescales.

He concludes detailing the horrific attack on six-year-old Ryan Booth, saying he and other attack victims must not be ignored.

A mother has told how her six-year-old son's ear was torn off by two dogs that were kept off the leash.

Claire Booth was out walking with son Ryan near their home in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, when she says two English bull terriers came "from nowhere" and "dragged him around the ground".

Four years on, the mother says her family are still wary of open spaces.

It comes as a Scottish Parliament committee claimed that dog control legislation is "not fit for purpose".

Read more.

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Community Safety Minister Ash Denham says we have heard today about the tragic impact dog attacks can have.

Dog owners must be responsible and keep control of their dogs, says the minister, reiterating the two reviews to improve the dog control legislative regime being undertaken by the government.

Ms Denham reminds MSPs that the two reviews are:

1. one published last week looking at practical measures to improve the operational elements of the Control of Dogs Act
2. a second one with a wider look at the dog control legislative area including whether the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 should be reformed

The minister concludes "one dog attack is one attack too many" and pledges to identify what more can be done to keep communities safe.

Tory MSP Finlay Carson says it is clear more can be done to support local authorities enforce legislation.

But it is also welcome that legislation will be reviewed, he states, adding that it is fragmented.

He suggests consolidating dog control laws could simplify and clarify legislation.

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James Kelly, in closing for the Scottish Labour Party, calls for the dog control database to be implemented urgently.

The Scottish government's consultation must be undertaken expediently, he adds.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame says points out once a dog is dangerous, her Control of Dogs Act does not apply.

The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act was intended to judge dogs on their behaviour, not breed, and gave powers to impose penalties on irresponsible owners.

It was taken through Holyrood as a member's bill by Ms Grahame in 2010, picking up the baton from Alex Neil when he was promoted to health secretary.

Image source, bbc

Ms Grahame says: "We should dump the term dangerous dogs and substitute reckless and feckless owners."

I wish my old bill well and hope it is is amended to make it fit for purpose, she says.

The SNP MSP also highlights her new bill, external, which would regulate the activity of breeding, selling and ownership of a dog or puppy.

Mr Kelly says the whole issue of awareness is clearly an issue across the board.

The Labour MSP explains he has been attacked when jogging.

He says the 2010 Act was passed to help protect people and this review has shown the legislation overall is not fit for purpose.

The reviews instigated by the minister must lead to proper legislation and the protection of communities.