Image source, Age UK

The BBC should "cough up" and pay for TV licences for all over-75s, the prime minister has said.

It comes after the BBC announced in June that it would restrict the benefit to those in low-income households.

Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit, Boris Johnson said the BBC's funding settlement had been conditional on it continuing to fund the free licences - something the corporation disputes.

Labour accused the PM of blaming the broadcaster for government policy.

Read more here.

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton begins by saying every service the BBC provides has some value to someone.

Television is not just a medium for keeping abreast with news but also it is a social tool, she states.

We on these benches are frustrated by the decision to scrap free TV licences as we expected the policy to be continued by the BBC, the Tory MSP states.

Labour MSP Claire Baker says the cost of continuing the policy would result in a "huge drop in income" for the BBC.

Ms Hamilton replies she accepts this, but argues the financial stability equated to £700m so she suggests the BBC find a way through this with the package they were given.

Ms Hyslop warns the UK government's welfare changes impact on people's lives and now over 75s will have their free TV licences ripped away.

"Forcing people to make difficult choices about what they can and cannot afford is not right, for many TV is a lifeline."

Ofcom figures show over 54s watch more TV than any other age group, on average five hours a day, she says.

Image source, bbc

The minister tells the chamber disruptive policies like this from the UK government will only cause harm to pensioners.

Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour intervenes to say the BBC accepted the policy and made no complaints at the time

The culture secretary hits back arguing there have been many complaints from the BBC and she says it has had its hands tied behind its back.

Image source, bbc

Ms Hyslop says the Conservatives "are all over the place" on the issue of TV licences and pensioners cannot trust them.

The UK government has pushed welfare policy onto the BBC with scant regard to the consequences, she argues.

She goes on to highlight opposition to this policy among the public, pointing to two petitions on the matter.

There is a strong case the reverse this policy from a financial stance, given it may see more people apply for pension credit, the culture secretary states.

She also criticises a recent change to pension credit eligibility, with mixed aged couples no longer able to receive it.

Image source, bbc

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop says the UK government shifted the responsibility directly onto the shoulders of the BBC.

This was always about cutting funding to the BBC and passing the blame to the corporation, Ms Hyslop argues.

The minister points out 3.7m over 75s will have to pay for their licences from June 2020.

Ms Hyslop says the UK government is playing games with welfare and public service broadcasting.

She tells the chamber Boris Johnson has said the BBC should "cough up", however now an election is looming the Sun newspaper is reporting that he is seeking a way to ensure no over 75s will have to pay.

Image source, PA

The decision to scrap TV licences for 3.7 million over-75s will now be considered by MSPs.

In June, the BBC announced only low-income households where one person receives the pension credit benefit will still be eligible for a free licence.

In 2015, the UK government announced the BBC would take over the cost of providing free licences for over-75s by 2020 as part of the fee settlement.

But that would have cost £745m, a fifth of the BBC's budget, by 2021/22.

Joe Fitzpatrick explains the government is aware of process issues which have resulted in some health boards experiencing a delay in the delivery of one type of flu vaccine.

The public health minister says the majority of delays have been resolved and outstanding ones will be resolved by the end of the week.

We are working with Health Protection Scotland and health boards to ensure all children receive the vaccine, he adds.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon asks about the possible impact of fewer children being vaccinated.

The minister says the government is determined to ensure the vaccine is available to all children across Scotland and he urges any eligible people to be vaccinated as it is the best defence against flu.

Image source, Science Photo library

Thousands of children across Scotland are facing delays in receiving their flu vaccination, external at primary school.

Scottish health boards confirmed flu programmes have been disrupted with a number of sessions being rescheduled.

Priority is being given to at-risk and younger children, with P4-7 pupils facing the most disruption.

A UK-wide shortage of the nasal spray Fluenz Tetra has meant health boards are receiving fewer vaccines than needed.

• Delayed flu vaccinations available 'soon' says NHS Grampian

Tory MSP Maurice Corry asks the Scottish government, in light of reports of shortages, what action it is taking to ensure that there will be ample supply of the flu vaccine over the winter to meet demand.

Image source, SPL

Read all the questions here., external

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Read all the questions here., external

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Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body questions are next, followed by the quizzing of health and sport ministers.

Then MSPs turn to a debate on TV licences for over 75s.

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In November 2018 we reported treatment for people with chronic chest disease had been described as a "postcode lottery" by campaigners.

More than 129,000 people live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Scotland, according to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, external.

But it claimed waiting times for rehabilitation vary from three to four weeks in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to up to 29 weeks in Ayrshire and Arran.

The Scottish government said it knew the importance of the treatment.

It said pulmonary rehabilitation was a key recommendation of its national clinical guidelines, which it expected NHS boards to follow.

• Glasgow is 'lung disease death capital'
• Children of smokers 'risk adult disease'
• Read more here

According to the British Lung Foundation, external chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, describes a group of lung conditions that make it difficult to empty air out of the lungs because the airways have become narrowed.

@BLFScotland, external

Image source, British Lung Foundation