Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick insists this government is absolutely committed to a publicly owned health service in Scotland.

Delivering improvement and reform in our health service takes investment he says, and points to increased investment for frontline services.

Health spending per head in Scotland is 6.3% higher than in England he adds.

We recognise there are too many patients waiting too long for treatment the minister states, but he says we are already seeing the first fruits of the waiting times action plan launched last year.

Ms Lennon highlights what she calls the "mental health crisis" and the long waiting times for CAMHS.

The Labour MSP pivots to workforce pressures, pointing out there are over 4,000 midwifery and nursing vacancies and over 500 consultant vacancies.

She says the government is failing on delayed discharges and patients are facing the indignity of corridor care.

Ms Lennon tells the chamber Audit Scotland has warned of an almost £2bn blackhole for the NHS in less than five years if no reform takes place.

Our NHS is in urgent need of more investment, she argues.

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Monica Lennon says introducing a legal right to a treatment guarantee of 12 weeks was a good thing to do.

But that has been broken 230,000 times she states.

A sticking plaster approach to running the NHS has put its future at risk, she argues, with staff being expected to do more with less.

Targets have been consistently missed and life on the waiting list is causing misery for too many patients, Ms Lennon says.

Image source, Getty Images

Scottish Labour will now lead a debate entitled 'Investing in Scotland'.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, Getty images

A series of government advertisements claiming to debunk myths about universal credit has been banned for misleading the public.

The Advertising Standards Agency received 44 complaints about six newspaper adverts and a web page.

The adverts included claims people moved into work faster on universal credit, which "did not accurately reflect the evidence", the ASA said.

The Department for Work and Pensions said it was disappointed by the ban.

• What is Universal Credit?
• Should Universal Credit be paid weekly?
• Read more

Image source, bbc

Liam McArthur begins: "Universal Credit isn’t working."

The system isn’t working when it should be a safety net for those that need it, the Lib Dem MSP adds.

He argues Universal Credit is now detached from the individuals that it is there to help, so reform is urgently needed.

The two child cap and the benefit cap should be scrapped, he adds.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay calls for the Mr McArthur to apologise for his party's cuts to welfare when in coalition.

Mr McArthur points out Mr Findlay's party were also supportive of the introduction of UC.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says Universal Credit is still causing "untold misery" for many citizens.

The benefits system only provide 60% of the minimum income standard for a couple with two children, she says.

Ms Johnstone highlights a constituent was made homeless due to benefits not being enough and she was having to raise children in hostels and temporary accommodation.

The Greens will support both Labour's motion and the government amendment, she confirms, but she adds there needs to be a broader discussion on the level of support provided through benefits.

Ms Ballantyne argues there is a satisfaction rate of 84% for the DWP and its services.

The Tory MSP says the design of UC allows for the concerns of the other 16% to be addressed as it can adapt and change.

She points out many people don't claim the benefits they are entitled to due to stigma and fear, which is not helped by the commentary from opposition parties.

"The fact of the matter is that there is an increase in employment under Universal Credit."

Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne says when Labour left office in 2010 they left a system which acted as a barrier to people wanting to get into work.

And Labour's motion today makes no reference about what would replace Universal Credit, she adds.

Instead they continue to dangle the "discredited" policy of a universal basic income, Ms Ballantyne states.

"Yes Universal Credit has had its issues," but it is the best way forward for social security in this country she insists.

Ms Somerville agrees with Labour and calls for the abhorrent "rape clause" to be scrapped.

She says the UK government chooses to introduce UC while the Scottish government introduced child poverty targets and a benefit to tackle child poverty.

Only independence can ensure we don't have policies imposed on us, she adds.

We can choose our own path based on fairness and dignity, Ms Somerville argues.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says the original aim of Universal Credit to simplify the system were right and "reasonable".

But its implementation and cuts made by the UK government has caused problems, she adds.

The cabinet secretary says she understands calls to scrap it, but adds she is unsure what Labour is planning to replace it with.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay asks if the cabinet secretary is seeking to keep it.

Ms Somerville confirms she will support Labour's motion to scrap it.

She accuses UK government ministers of "having their heads in the sands" about the flaws of UC.

• Universal credit combines six "legacy benefits" into one monthly, means-tested payment. The legacy benefits are working tax credit, child tax credit, jobseeker's allowance, income support, employment support allowance and housing benefit
• A single universal credit payment is paid directly into the claimant's bank account each month
• More than 1.5m people across Great Britain currently receive benefits through universal credit

Source:House of Commons Library, external

Mr Leonard argues cites the "moral outrage of the rape clause that accompanies" Universal Credit.

UC pushes people into debt by imposing a five week wait for the first payment, he adds.

SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor calls for the complete devolution of social security powers to Holyrood.

The Scottish Labour leader replies the Scottish government has asked the DWP twice to delay the devolution of welfare payments.

Indeed full devolution won't be completed until 2025 so you can't be trusted when you are given the powers, argues Mr Leonard.

He goes on to say Universal Credit is "cruel" and "immoral" and the time has come to act decisively so let's scrap Universal Credit and put in its place "a helping hand".

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard says he hopes this parliament will unite this afternoon to call for the immediate termination of Universal Credit.

Mr Leonard says UC has led to hardship and destitution across the UK.

He cites various cases where people have been sanctioned, leading to reliance on crisis grants and food parcels.

Our social security system has become "a vehicle for driving poverty up", Mr Leonard argues, adding it has become not the solution but part of the problem.

Image source, Getty Images

A future Labour government would scrap universal credit - which merges six benefits into one payment, the party's leader Jeremy Corbyn announced in September.

He promised an interim benefit payment after two weeks, across the UK, to replace a five-week waiting period.

Labour has branded universal credit "cruel and inhumane".

The government said Labour's plans were "reckless" and amounted to "political point-scoring", but acknowledged there was work to do to improve the system.

Universal credit is being introduced in stages across the UK.

• What is universal credit?
• Read more here

Image source, bbc

Scottish Labour will now lead a debate on Universal Credit.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, bbc

Portfolio questions begins with culture, tourism and external affairs ministers fielding questions from backbench MSPs.

Then it's the turn of education ministers.

Full list of questions available here., external

Image source, bbc

Image source, bbc

NEWS SUMMARY:

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has apologised to the parents of two patients who died in the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

Jeane Freeman expressed her "deepest sympathies" to the families of Milly Main, 10 and three-year-old Mason Djemat.

The two children died three weeks apart in August 2017 at the hospital, which is part of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus.

They had been treated on a ward which was affected by water contamination.