Labour MSP James Kelly seeks a response to the HMICS report on the Scottish Police Authority, which concluded there was "no clear vision, strategy or plan in place".

Image source, PA Media

Challenges still remain in the core role of the Scottish Police Authority, an HMICS report has concluded.

While noting good progress has been made over the last 18 months, the inspectorate said there was a need for clarity about governance arrangements.

It warned variations had caused uncertainty for staff.

Chief Inspector Gill Imery said: "A recurring theme is the limited ability of the SPA Board to recognise issues of significant public interest and effectively to hold Police Scotland to account."

Read the report here., external

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says "this shambles has gone on for seven years" and is not yet resolved.

Why has it taken from the end of August until now to make the fact the hospital will not yet resume a 24/7 service public, he asks.

"I completely understand Mr Findlay's anger," Ms Freeman states.

She says she queried the board's decision about the children's ward, which explains the delay.

Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour asks when the minister will come back to update MSPs on when the 24/7 service will be available and what transport support is available.

Ms Freeman says she understood NHS Lothian was providing transport support but she adds she will check this.

She adds she will update members at the start of November as to progress made this month.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says NHS Lothian has recruited an additional 16 staff to support the delivery of a 24 hour service, but in this time three staff have left and a further three are on reduced hours or maternity leave.

She explains 32 of out the 40 out-of-hours shifts can now be covered so further recruitment is needed.

Ms Constance says providing more services in West Lothian would help the community and support for 24 hour service at St John's.

Ms Freeman says she fully expects NHS Lothian to consider a Lothian-wide delivery of paediatric services.

SNP MSP Angela Constance asks about support for the Paediatric Programme Board to ensure that the return to a 24/7 service at the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital happens as quickly and safely as possible.

Image source, ECKSTASY

Efforts to reinstate a 24/7 paediatric service at St Johns Hospital in West Lothian by October have failed, the health secretary has confirmed.

Jeane Freeman said ongoing difficulties with recruitment meant it was not safe to return to a full service at the Livingston hospital.

The 24-hour inpatient service which runs between Monday and Thursday will continue in the meantime.

Ms Freeman said she appreciated local people would be disappointed.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Mr Alastair Cameron from Quakers in Scotland is delivering today's time for reflection.

Image source, Getty Images

The economy committee draws to a close.

Coming up this afternoon...

• Topical questions are on St John's Hospital's children's ward and the Scottish Police Authority
• The post-legislative scrutiny committee leads a debate on the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010
• Labour MSP Anas Sarwar marks 80 years of Scotland’s Citizens Advice Service in the evening member's debate

SNP MSP Colin Beattie asks if this bill will give Consumer Scotland the necessary powers to carry out its role.

Yes, says Mr Docherty, as it is intended to be a research and investigatory body.

Jonathan Lenton welcomes the fact the bill places an obligation on the public sector to consider impacts on consumers.

Mr Beattie highlights Consumer Scotland will not have enforcement powers, to which Mr Docherty replies it is not intended to be an enforcement body.

Mr Kerr asks if there is no enforcement power, why do we need it? We already have advice bodies in the consumer landscape, he adds.

Mr Kerr says that colleagues at Citizens Advice Scotland are "deeply deeply concerned" money "will be ripped away from them".

Consumer Scotland won't try to be a brand like CAS, argues Mr Docherty.

He points out its job is to do research into consumer detriment and propose solutions, he says.

CAS already does research says Mr Kerr, who warns Consumer Scotland will have no teeth and only be able to make recommendations to the UK parliament.

Jonathan Lenton of the Ombudsman Service says there are different complaints made to his organisation from Scottish consumers, with issues with broadband most common.

We can see some positives from Consumer Scotland, particularly in terms of bringing data together.

Ms Baillie wonders if there is a potential problem of reducing funding for other consumer organisations in order to fund Consumer Scotland.

Thomas Docherty says funding for Citizens Advice will not be touched and we have been assured it will lead to a real-terms increase of consumer services.

Image source, bbc

Thomas Docherty from Which?, external says "we take the reverse position."

Mr Docherty says having two distinct bodies with two distinct remits is the right thing to do.

He says Which? are huge fans of Citizens Advice Scotland.

However Consumer Scotland will focus purely on those issues that are within the consumer landscape, he elucidates.

He points out Scottish consumers spend £8bn a month and must have confidence, but there are gaps in the environment.

This is "bold, it is brave, but it is logical as well," Mr Docherty says.

The Consumer Scotland Bill was announced in the programme for government in September 2018 and introduced in June 2019.

It will establish Consumer Scotland, external, a new consumer advocacy and advice body.

As a SPICe briefing highlights, "most consumer powers, including legislating for consumer rights and consumer enforcement, remain reserved to Westminster.

"This would limit Consumer Scotland's powers to compel people or organisations to act, but not its power to influence."

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie asks whether Consumer Scotland is needed.

Norman Kerr from Energy Action Scotland says it is not needed and will not add much to the landscape.

This bill is trying to provide additional powers that could easily have been given to Citizens Advice, he suggests.

Our worry is that it will muddy the consumer landscape Mr Kerr explains.

Image source, bbc

The committee is hearing from:

• Thomas Docherty from Which?, external
• Norman Kerr from Energy Action Scotland, external
• Jonathan Lenton from Ombudsman Services, external

Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston asks if the Scottish government will support a deal if the UK government agrees one with the EU.

If it is a deal that damages Scotland, then no replies the cabinet secretary.

Mr Mackay says there is no evidence of deal being negotiated but if there is one, ministers will consider it.

The evidence session draws to a close.

Reality Check

Image source, Getty Images

The UK government has released an assessment of the possible effects of a no-deal Brexit on the UK, after MPs demanded that it be made public.

The document, marked as "Official Sensitive" and dated 2 August 2019, outlines a series of "reasonable worst-case planning assumptions".

It was drawn up as part of "Operation Yellowhammer" - the name for the government's contingency plan to prepare for leaving the European Union (EU) without a deal.

The UK government says it is spending an extra £2.1bn on no-deal planning and is updating these planning assumptions.

So, what does the document say and what is being done - as far as we know - to prepare for no-deal?

Image source, Getty Images

A further delay to the UK's departure from the EU would not be supported by the Scottish Conservatives, according to their interim leader.

Jackson Carlaw, who replaced Ruth Davidson earlier this year, also confirmed that the party had dropped its opposition to a no-deal Brexit.

However, he said his preferred option was for the UK to leave the EU with a deal on 31 October.

Nicola Sturgeon condemned the Scottish Conservatives, external' new stance on no-deal, accusing them of "putting the demands of Boris Johnson ahead of the interests of the Scottish people".

Read more.