Mr Halcro Johnston asks whether the minister has asked Scottish Enterprise about this.

The finance secretary explains this is just one funding scheme and insists he is satisfied for the systems in place, adding if someone qualified for regional selective assistance (RSA) they would get it.

Why are you reassured, presses Mr Halcro Johnston.

Mr Mackay encourages the committee to pose those questions to Scottish Enterprise and reiterates they are being proactive.

Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston asks whether regional selective assistance is meeting the objective of tackling regional inequality.

Mr Mackay says it is, though its deployment depends on who is applying for it because it is a demand-led process.

The enterprise agencies should be signposting to RSA where appropriate and I am assured that is happening, he adds.

Mr Halcro Johnston points to low take-up and queries whether Mr Mackay is confidence this is not because of a lack of awareness.

The cabinet secretary says he would like to see greater distribution of RSA across the country but suggests the reason demand is not high is not due to a systemic issue.

Image source, bbc

Mr Mackay reflects back on the budget for 2019/20 as he begins his opening statement.

The finance secretary pivots to the 2020/21 budget citing issues around the lack of a full budget from the UK government.

There is no date for the UK Autumn budget he explains and warns of the disruption and impact of a no-deal Brexit.

He says that is the reason for the spending review.

Image source, PA Media

The committee is undertaking pre-budget scrutiny as part of a move towards a year-round approach.

The 2020-21 Scottish budget will likely be delivered by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay in December.

The economy committee is looking at the budget in relation to employment support services, and the financing and support available to community and locally-owned energy.

Read more about its scrutiny so far., external

The convener welcomes:

• Finance and Economy Secretary Derek Mackay
• Richard Rollison from the Scottish government
• Kathleen Swift, also from the Scottish government

Image source, PA Media/Getty Images

The economy committee will begin shortly. There are three items on its agenda today:

1. Pre-budget scrutiny with Finance Secretary Derek Mackay
2. No-deal Brexit, also with Mr Mackay
3. Consumer Scotland Bill with stakeholders

The meeting papers are available here., external

Image source, PA Media

Welcome to BBC Scotland's online coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 1 October 2019.

Finance and Economy Secretary Derek Mackay will give evidence to the economy committee this morning, first as part of its pre-budget scrutiny and secondly on preparations for a no-deal Brexit.

Topical questions are on St John's Hospital's children's ward and the Scottish Police Authority.

Image source, Getty Images

After topical questions, the post-legislative scrutiny committee leads a debate on the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010.

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar will mark 80 years of Scotland’s Citizens Advice Service in the evening member's debate.