Image source, bbc

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville replies the Scottish government supports the appropriate use of the single sex exemptions by service providers.

This requires a case by case approach, she adds.

Biological sex is not a term used in the Equality Act 2010.

Ms McAlpine says the provisions in the Act allow the Rape Crisis Scotland Centre to ensure its counselors are women to ensure no rape survivor is further distressed by hearing a male voice on a helpline or a male body in a shelter.

Ms Somerville says she would expect Rape Crisis Scotland staff to use the provisions in the Act to provide the best caring service.

Image source, Getty Images

Controversial plans to make it easier for people in Scotland to change their legally recognised gender have been put on hold.

The Scottish government has stressed that it is still committed to updating the Gender Recognition Act.

The reforms have faced heavy criticism from several prominent SNP politicians.

The concerns have largely focused on the potential impact of allowing people to self-identify their gender in single-sex spaces such as changing rooms, and women-only shortlists.

Read more.

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine asks whether the government supports the Equality Act 2010’s single-sex exemptions that allow for women-only spaces and services based on biological sex when this is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

Image source, bbc

After lunch, social security questions takes place, followed by the statement on farming subsidies and a statement on emissions.

Finally, MSPs will mark 100 years of the Forestry Commission.

Image source, Getty Images

Hong Kong's protests started in June against proposals to allow extradition to mainland China.

Critics feared this could undermine the city's judicial independence and endanger dissidents.

Until 1997, Hong Kong was a British colony - meaning it was controlled by Britain. Since returning to Chinese rule, it has more autonomy than the mainland, and its people more rights. The arrangement is known as "one country, two systems".

City leader Carrie Lam agreed to suspend the extradition bill, but demonstrations developed to include demands for full democracy and an inquiry into police actions.

The bill was withdrawn in September. But clashes between police and activists have become increasingly violent, with police firing live bullets and protesters attacking officers and throwing petrol bombs.

Image source, bbc

External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop says the Scottish government is seriously concerned about the situation in Hong Kong.

It's clear political dialogue is the only way to resolve the situation, adds Ms Hyslop.

She says it is vital Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and its human rights and freedoms are respected.

"We expect China to fulfill its human rights obligations to Hong Kong."

Image source, Getty Images

Tourists are staying away and retailers are reeling after nearly five months of protests that have dealt a "devastating" blow to businesses in Hong Kong, and pushed the economy to the brink.

Preliminary growth figures due out Thursday are expected to show Hong Kong has entered a technical recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth.

Ahead of the numbers, the city's leader Carrie Lam warned of a looming recession. She expects the economy to record negative growth for the year.

DBS economist Samuel Tse agrees the upcoming figures will show Hong Kong has sunk into recession - and expects more pain to come.

Image source, Getty Images

• A quick guide to the Hong Kong protests
• In pictures: Masked protest in Hong Kong
• How business is navigating Hong Kong's new reality
• Rich chase golden visas as Hong Kong unrest simmers

Mr Cole-Hamilton says the international community must keep up the pressure for a full independent investigation into police violence in Hong Kong.

He also highlights "mob violence" among the protesters but says these stem from the police response to the peaceful protests at the beginning.

We must not shy away from what is happening in Hong Kong he says.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton is leading a debate on the ongoing situation and protests in Hong Kong.

Here is his motion...

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says NHS Lothian is £90m in debt and a constituent of his waiting a brain operation cannot get it due to the neurological centre which is meant to be in the not-yet-open Sick Kids Hospital.

This is the human face of scandal at Sick Kids Hospital, he argues.

Ms Sturgeon says services that are meant to be provided in the new building are currently being provided elsewhere.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs says spending on nursing agency and bank staff has soared.

Has this anything to do with student nurse places being cut when the first minister was health secretary? asks Mr Briggs

The first minister says the number of student nurse places has risen for the last three years.

Ms Sturgeon argues the biggest threat to NHS recruitment at the moment is Brexit and says the Tories should hang their heads in shame.

The first minister says the Scottish government is investing and reforming the NHS to secure better outcomes for health and social care.

Ms Lennon says the health boards in Lothian and Glasgow are predicting deficits, insisting this demonstrates mismanagement.

Ms Sturgeon disagrees and again says that Labour had proposed a less generous spending plan in 2016.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon seeks a response to the Audit Scotland report projecting a £1.8bn shortfall in NHS funding.

Image source, Getty Images

The health service in Scotland could face a £1.8bn shortfall in less than five years if it is not reformed, the public spending watchdog has said.

Audit Scotland's annual report, external said the NHS was "seriously struggling to become financially sustainable".

Auditor General Caroline Gardner said the integration of health and social care was too slow and staff were under intense pressure.

The Scottish government said reform was progressing but must happen faster.

Read more.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill says a number of families in Glasgow are not claiming the free school meals to which they are eligible.

Ms McNeill asks about potential support for councils to automate benefits like free school meals.

The first minister agrees that more automation leads to a higher uptake of benefits and points to the benefits of universality.

The first minister says access to healthy and nutritious school meals is essential, and highlights universal provision for P1 to P3.

We are always looking for ways to lift children out of poverty while Tory welfare reforms are pushing more children into poverty, she insists.

Mr Whittle highlights food waste from schools and hospitals, calling for a system-wide approach to link nutrition, food processing and food waste.

Ms Sturgeon highlights statistics which suggest that the number of pupils registered for free school meals has increased, and again says food poverty is rising due to welfare cuts.

Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks about action to encourage the uptake of school meals, especially among children who are eligible for free school meals.

Image source, Reuters

Many children who are entitled to free school meals are not taking them every day, according to research.

The Scottish poverty and inequality research unit at Glasgow Caledonian University has been looking at the school meal service.

The team found about a quarter of the primary children registered for free meals do not have one on a typical day.

The proportion is even higher among secondary school pupils. Overall, 350,000 school meals are served daily.

Read more.