Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political reporter

"Wonks will note that this legislative consent memorandum explains why there isn't going to be a legislative consent motion, but there will be a motion on the memo - so a vote to underline that there isn't going to be a vote. End result is the same, that MSPs will voice opposition."

Image source, AFP

MSPs will now debate the Scottish government's LCM, external for the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill.

The revised version of the UK government's Withdrawal Agreement Bill, external (WAB) aims to ensure that it can take the UK out of the EU on 31 January.

Brexit Secretary Mike Russell reiterated his view the Scottish Parliament should not agree legislative consent to this bill, when giving evidence this morning to the constitution committee.

The Tory MSPs on the committee - Adam Tomkins, Murdo Fraser and Alexander Burnett - dissented from the recommendation.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie asks if there will be an opportunity for retrospective action through the control areas.

Mr Rennie says in areas like the East Neuk of Fife, current numbers are too high and preserving that would not be a satisfactory outcome.

The housing minister explains that will be part of the discussion and he expects very proactive discussions with councils on that point.

Green MSP Andy Wightman welcomes the commitment to have a licensing scheme in place for Spring 2021.

He argues no license should be granted where no planning permission is in place.

Mr Wightman asks whether planning consent will be sought for the Holyrood Park buildings set to be turned into holiday lets.

Mr Stewart disagrees planning permission should be required.

Regarding the Holyrood Park buildings, he highlights they have been lying empty for a number of years and therefore their use will not impact on residences.

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack agrees action is urgently needed and says a lack of regulation can lead to anti-social behaviour and a loss of homes.

Ms Boyack calls for local councils to have the power to legislate locally, but expresses concerns about short-term let control areas which sound like rent pressure zones which have already failed.

She says there are no details about the fair taxation of short-term lets and she calls for clarity on the definition of a short-term let.

Image source, bbc

Mr Stewart insists his approach will get the balance right between tourism and providing homes for local people.

Local authorities will have control over these measures adds the minister, telling the chamber there will be a comprehensive review of the short-term let taxation system carried out urgently.

Any money raised will go to local authorities, he confirms.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson welcomes the announcement, before asking if the licensing scheme will be operated by councils and whether they will be able to refuse licenses.

He also asks whether the scheme will be cost neutral and whether an appeals system will be established.

Mr Stewart says he is seeking the views of local authorities before announcing the minutiae of the scheme and the only part that will be mandatory across Scotland will be on safety.

Regarding appeals, the minister says he is willing to have discussions about this.

On fees, he expects councils to set them and the scheme should be cost neutral.

Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

Is Scotland getting too much of a good thing? After several lacklustre years of tourism growth, numbers have surged in the past two years, and some hotspots are at risk of over-heating.

"Over-tourism"' is becoming a political issue in other European honeypots, including Majorca, Barcelona, Venice, Dubrovnik and Amsterdam. Measures are being taken to crack down on visitors' anti-social behaviour and on short-term letting, such as those through the AirBnB website.

Skye has more than 500 properties on the website, which is good for boosting capacity, particularly at peak times. But it cuts down the accommodation available for the lower-paid hotel, bar and restaurant workers who make tourism in remote locations possible.

Read more.

Mr Stewart accepts in some areas there are real concerns about high concentrations of short-term lets.

The minister says home-sharing does not take homes away from residents or cause the same issues and they will not be affected by today's announcement.

He says the government will carefully consider the tax treatment of short-term lets and ensure it complements the transient visitor levy (otherwise known as the tourist tax).

The minister argues these measures allow progress in addressing pressing issues for some communities without curtailing the benefits of short-term lets.

Mr Stewart says he will come back the next session with primary legislation if enough change has not occurred under the measures he has set out today.

Mr Stewart confirms a licensing scheme for short-term lets will be established and local authorities will be given the power to introduce short-term let control areas.

He also announces that the tax treatment of short-term lets will be reviewed.

Image source, bbc

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says he is pleased to announce the Scottish government's proposals for the regulation of short-term lets in Scotland today.

Mr Stewart says he wants local authorities to be empowered, to benefit visitors while protecting those who live permanently in an area.

He points out short-term lets bring about a range of economic benefits, however they also bring about issues for local communities.

Consultation events have been held across Scotland and research commissioned, he adds.

Airbnb-style lets could be subject to new controls in Scotland after a government consultation found a majority support imposing regulations.

Research commissioned by the government found a three-fold increase in Scottish properties let for short-term use since 2016, with 32,000 recorded in May.

A majority of those who wrote in to the consultation backed reforms, although they were split on what should be done.

Read more.

Image source, Getty Images

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart will now make a statement on regulation of short-term lets.

This includes those let using Airbnb and similar sites.

Business Minister Jamie Hepburn says legislation is reserved but the Scottish government has repeatedly spoken against the inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill asks ask the Scottish government what its response is to calls for it to no longer offer contracts to private firms that employ people on zero-hours contracts.