The first minister replies the latest figures show over 35,700 Scottish students were accepted to a Scottish university.

Mr Gray says it has been three years since Audit Scotland said the government had failed to raise the cap on Scottish students.

Ms Sturgeon again cites the increase in Scottish domiciled students attending Scottish universities.

She insists this government is doing the job of delivering the best it can for the people of Scotland within a constrained budget.

Image source, Getty images

Labour MSP Iain Gray asks what the Scottish government's response is to reports that 14,000 applicants missed out on a place at university last year.

According to newspaper reports the SNP's cap on the number of Scottish students who can win a university place has come under renewed attack after it emerged that more than 14,000 applicants missed out last year.

Universities admissions body Ucas told The Daily Telegraph, external that 14,200 Scots who applied failed to win a place in 2019 - the equivalent of nearly three out of 10 applicants.

Although this was down on the 14,575 who missed out the year before, according to updated Ucas figures, external, the total is still around 60 per cent higher than before the SNP Government introduced "free" university tuition.

The first minister says councils, like this government, are "bearing the brunt" of austerity from the UK government.

She says councils have received real term funding increases in recent years from the Scottish government, and any use of reserves must be properly considered.

Mr Stewart insists the Scottish government is piling on pressure through policies relating to things like education.

When will you take responsibility to provide councils with the necessary funds he asks.

Ms Sturgeon says local authorities are working under real pressure, but insists this is due to the UK government.

In relative terms the Scottish government has acted to protect local government she says.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart asks what the Scottish government's response is to reports that local authorities are having to spend millions of pounds from cash reserves in order to balance their budgets.

Nicola Sturgeon replies improving connectivity is part of the Glasgow City Region Deal and the government is committed to improving connectivity to Glasgow Airport.

Mr Adam says this current proposal is the most ambitious yet and asks if the first minister supports the Glasgow Metro stopping in Paisley.

Yes I do have enormous sympathy with the case the council is putting forward, says the first minister.

Tory MSP Jamie Green asks for one simple reassurance that Glasgow Airport will actually be connected to the City of Glasgow itself, to which Ms Sturgeon replies it is vital proper processes are gone through.

She adds a potential investment of this scale must go through the statutory process while accepting the merits of the proposal.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby says the government cancelled GARL and another link to Glasgow Airport and asks when the first minister will cancel this planned link.

The first minister again points to the election as an example of the Scottish people giving their verdict on the Scottish government and pledges to work hard to retain the confidence of the people of Glasgow.

Image source, GLASGOW CONNECTIVITY COMMISSION

SNP MSP George Adam asks whether the first minister will provide an update on the proposed Glasgow Metro rail system that will connect Glasgow Airport to the rail network.

Plans for a metro link for Glasgow Airport have been agreed by council leaders in Glasgow and Renfrewshire.

The first phase of the proposed Glasgow Metro would link Paisley Gilmour Street train station and Glasgow airport, before extending further east.

The announcement came ahead of a conference on the state of the economy and infrastructure in Glasgow.

Read more here.

Green MSP Ross Greer asks if the Scottish government has taken any steps to restrict US use of Prestwick Airport, in light of the situation with Iran.

We expect Prestwick to operate ethically but it is run independently, replies the first minister.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin highlights yesterday's vote by MSPs to refuse consent to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

Ms Sturgeon says the vast majority of the people of Scotland do not want Brexit, and if the UK government rides roughshod over this then the people deserve an opportunity to choose whether to become independent.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson says the Stage 2 amendment 9 to the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill abolishes uniform domestic rates and will lead to the loss of rates relief.

Does the first minister agree the amendment should be reversed, asks Mr Gibson.

"Yes I strongly agree with that," replies the first minister.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says USDAW were outside Holyrood today campaigning outside the parliament to end New Year's Day trading by large stores.

The first minister agrees shop workers should get a festive break and pledges to look into it.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says a memorandum of understanding signed by the Scottish government with Heathrow supports 40 new long haul flights, more domestic flights and a £10 discount for domestic passengers for 20 years.

What was the outcome of the government reviewing policies to tackle climate change, he asks.

The first minister says the government is still reviewing its policies.

Regarding Heathrow specifically, she highlights SNP MPs did not vote at the last vote in the House of Commons.

Mr Rennie says this is urgent, "a crisis right now," and asks why government policy is still to support Heathrow expansion.

Ms Sturgeon says the government is coming forward with a comprehensive plan to meet the latest Climate Change Act, before criticising the Lib Dems opposition to the workplace parking levy.

Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie says since devolution bus fares have almost doubled so it is not surprising passenger numbers are down.

Mr Harvie ask what the government is doing to empower local government to address this.

The first minister argues the powers have been given to councils and she points out government funding of £500m for improving bus infrastructure.

That money is spread over a long time, argues the Scottish Green Party co-leader.

Mr Harvie say transport in Scotland is "unfair, unhealthy, costly and pushing carbon emissions up when they should be coming down".

He calls for a better integrated public transport service.

Nicola Sturgeon reiterates the level of funding going into bus transport infrastructure and the legislation empowering councils to run bus services.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton highlights a constituent who died while staying at the Drumbrae care home, which will be deregistered in February if improvements are not made. The first minister says this is "completely unacceptable," and families and patients have a right to expect better care standards.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says a constituent has been waiting on an operation for several months and has been told by NHS Lothian the procedure was cancelled due to a lack of staff. Ms Sturgeon says she will ask the health secretary to look again at the issue and liaise with NHS Lothian.

A further protest from the gallery has led to a short suspension.