Image source, Andrew Cowan

That's all from Holyrood Live on Wednesday 30 October 2019.

Mike Russell told MSPs Scotland’s economy would suffer significant damage under Boris Johnson's Brexit deal.

Scottish government analysis estimates that under the free trade agreement envisaged in the deal, Scottish Gross Domestic Product would be 6.1% lower by 2030 compared to forecasts under continued EU membership.

This equates to £1,600 per person.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins accused the Brexit secretary of giving a party political broadcast and argued that the new deal meets many of Mr Russell's demands.

Join us tomorrow morning bright and early at 8.15am to hear more detailed questioning of Mr Russell before the Europe Committee.

Image source, Andrew Cowan

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell says this debate is a really useful opportunity to celebrate the role of the third sector and its influence in Scottish public life.

She says one of the biggest impacts of the third sector on her has been the Continue To Care campaign.

Devolution has been a turning point in Scotland's history she says and praises the third sector's role as part of this.

This government and parliament will continue to see the third sector as a key strategic partner, she states.

Image source, SCVO

According to the SCVO: "Following the publication of our limited edition book – ‘Charities, Scotland & Holyrood: Twenty Years Delivering Change, external‘ – we will be taking time over the coming months to catch up with some of the organisations featured and chat about their contribution to the campaigns that have helped form policy in Scotland over the last two decades."

Listen to the podcasts here., external

Image source, bbc

Ms Mitchell says the partnership between the Scottish Parliament and charities has grown in strength and has proven to be hugely successful and resulted in legislative change.

The Tory MSP praises the SCVO, which has over 2,000 members and she points out 20 key issues that are selected for the book 'Scotland & Holyrood: Twenty Years Delivering Change'.

She focuses on human trafficking and the genesis of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015, external, praising Labour MSP Jenny Marra and the Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA).

Ms Mitchell praise the voluntary sector and concludes saying all parties work with charities to ensure the communities MSPs represent are not forgotten.

She looks to the next twenty years and the parliament continuing to work with the "vibrant, eclectic third sector".

Image source, Lewis Houghton

Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell will now lead a member's debate marking the publication of Scotland & Holyrood: Twenty Years Delivering Change, external.

This is a is a limited edition book that has been produced by SCVO to celebrate the Parliament's 20th anniversary.

The book focuses on the voluntary sector working with, challenging, persuading and influencing the Scottish Parliament, by highlighting 20 key voluntary sector campaigns that have helped shape society in Scotland since devolution.

The third sector plays a vital role, not only in strengthening communities, but also in advocating for legislative change and national action to tackle pressing societal challenges, including climate change, human trafficking and access to car.

Read the motion in full here., external

Image source, bbc

Culture Committee deputy convener Claire Baker begins her closing speech saying the value of the Macintosh building cannot be underestimated.

Ms Baker tells the chamber the committee inquiry focused on lessons to be learned and the future protection of Scotland's historic buildings.

She says the committee awaits the SFRS report but adds what it has learned suggests more could have been done on the building site.

The Labour MSP says there is no evidence the GSA has reflected on the culture at the school.

She argues the the focus on one single student's mistake indicates the lack of consideration as to whether the school was responsible in any way.

Richard Lochhead says the GSA has committed to putting a community engagement officer in place to build trust in light of concerns about a lack of engagement.

The restoration of the west wing of the building was covered by insurance but a decision was taken to restore the whole building, he explains.

Guidance on restoration work on historic buildings will be reviewed, the minister confirms.

Turning to the public inquiry, he says the government has not ruled one out but will wait for the fire service report before giving it consideration.

Image source, bbc

"These fires have been a catastrophe for Scotland and the loss of a national treasure," begins Alexander Stewart.

Closing for the Tories, he raises serious concerns about the scrutiny and governance of the restoration following the first fire at the GSA.

Mr Stewart says people have serious concerns about what took place and there remain issues about the impact on the local community.

"Lessons do need to be learned and questions need to be answered," he adds.

Mr Stewart insists the public have the right to hear what has been going on and they have lost confidence in the school and board.

Image source, PA

On 16 June 2018 we reported Glasgow's world-renowned School of Art had been gutted by another huge blaze, four years after part of the building was destroyed by fire.

Flames ripped through the celebrated Mackintosh building after it caught fire at about 23:20 on Friday.

The blaze spread to nearby buildings, including the Campus nightclub and O2 ABC music venue, which suffered "extensive damage".

The renovated Mackintosh library had been due to reopen next year.

It was destroyed in the blaze that ripped through the building in May 2014.

It was being restored in a project estimated to cost up to £35m.

• Follow the latest on the devastating blaze
• Scotland reacts to Glasgow art school fire
• The world's love of Glasgow School of Art
• Shock at Glasgow art school fire
• In Pictures: Glasgow School of Art fire
• Read more here

Concluding for Labour, Pauline McNeill says there are too many unanswered questions about the fires and therefore a public inquiry is necessary.

She highlights the fire did not only impact the Macintosh building but also the O2 building nearby.

"Heads should have rolled at Glasgow School of Art" when they could not say whether the alarm was on or not that night, she argues.

She praises Glasgow City Council officials for working with to restore the O2, warning losing it would be devastating consequences on that part of the city and on the music sector.

Image source, Getty Images

In June we reported that Glasgow School of Art chairwoman Muriel Gray had temporarily stepped down from her role almost a year after fire engulfed the Mackintosh building.

The renowned art school was extensively damaged last June while it was undergoing a £35m restoration following a previous fire in May 2014.

Ms Gray, whose husband has cancer, said she was stepping down from her role "for personal family reasons".

Vice-chairwoman Professor Nora Kearney took over as interim chairwoman.

• Major fire devastates Glasgow School of Art
• Fire-displaced residents stage protest
• 'Poor communications' after art school fire
• Glasgow School of Art criticised over fire
• Read more here

Image source, bbc

Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie backs a full public inquiry.

The Glasgow list MSP expresses the shock and disbelief at what was found in the committee's inquiry.

He tells the chamber that not only that the sprinkler mist system was not in place, but to attain one fundraising was going to be required.

Mr Harvie says the local residents paint a picture of the GSA being a "selfish neighbour".

He calls for more investment in the arts community.

Ms McNeill supports the call for the public inquiry, describing it as "absolutely essential".

She expresses disappointment that the report from the fire service is not yet complete and asks if there is any indication of when it can be expected.

The Labour MSP hits out at the governance and lack of transparency from the GSA management.

She wonders about confidentiality agreements staff have been forced to sign and payouts made.

Image source, Getty Images

Investigators are entering the final phases of their probe into the fire which devastated Glasgow School of Art.

The world-renowned Mackintosh building was extensively damaged when a blaze broke out on 15 June last year.

A year on, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said several hundred tonnes of debris still had to be removed from the remains of the building.

Neighbours of the art school told BBC Scotland they were eager to find out the results of the investigation.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Pauline McNeill says this committee report should be commended as one of the most important in the parliament's history due to its forensic approach.

The fire was a tragedy for the GSA, those who love the building and the O2, the Labour MSP tells the chamber.

She highlights the huge impact of the fire on the local community and argues it exposed the poor relationship with them and the GSA management, which has persisted for a long time.

The Labour MSP points to the devastation local businesses have endured and praises the efforts of the fire fighters

Ms McNeill says lessons must be learnt about the cause of the fire and the conduct of the authorities during and after it.

She argues people don't feel safe in their own homes following the two fires.

Ms Hamilton agrees it would be appropriate to review legislation relating to the protection of category A listed buildings.

She also wonders about better protections for history buildings not in category A.

The Tory MSP backs a public inquiry once the SFRS report has been published.