Image source, REUTERS

Air traffic control for five Scottish regional airports is to be undertaken centrally from Inverness, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd has announced.

The move involves Sumburgh, Dundee, Inverness, Kirkwall and Stornoway.

Hial said the change, which would be phased in, would modernise air traffic control.

But the union Prospect said the plan puts 60 jobs at risk and described it as "poorly thought through".

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Image source, STUART NICOL

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Here's the motion, external for the debate.

Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart leads a debate expressing concern about plans by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) to centralise air traffic control (ATC) services in Inverness through the use of remote towers.

"Our carers make an immense contribution to our society," replies Ms Sturgeon

The first minster cites care funding and thanks carers for all the work they do every day.

Mr Griffin says those in poverty tend to spend more hours caring and he points out the DWP increase of £5 in carers allowance will not keep pace with inflation.

Ms Sturgeon agrees the DWP does not provide enough support for carers, which is why the Scottish government has introduced the Carers Allowance Supplement and will introduce a young carers' allowance.

First minister's questions draws to a close.

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Labour MSP Mark Griffin asks what the Scottish Government’s response is to figures from Oxfam Scotland, which estimate that the value of unpaid care work across the country is £36bn.

Oxfam Scotland says its polling "shows 72 percent of people in Scotland back governments spending more on social security benefits for carers of those who are sick or disabled".

It also says it "shows that four in five people in Scotland believe unpaid care work is not valued highly enough, with strong support for measures to address this".

Read more here., external

Ms Sturgeon says compared to the rest of the UK and Europe, Scotland has high air quality.

She concedes there are still areas where pollution levels are unacceptable.

The first minister points to the Low Emissions Zones to be introduced in four of Scotland's cities by the end of this year, with the first already in place in Glasgow.

Ms Hamilton says the level of air pollution is simply unacceptable and calls for air quality monitors to be given to all schools.

Ms Sturgeon pledges to consider all positive options including that one and insists the government is taking serious action, including the introduction of powers for councils to introduce a workplace parking levy.

Perhaps the Tories should give up their knee jerk objection to that, she suggests.

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton asks what the Scottish government’s response is to the rise in pollution levels on main thoroughfares in Scotland’s cities.

Campaigners have described Scotland's air quality as "shameful" despite an improvement in the country's most polluted street.

Friends of the Earth Scotland said many areas suffered from higher pollution levels in 2019 than in previous years.

The Scottish government said it is working to address the problem

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Ms Sturgeon says the Crown Office has announced an extension of the contract with Glasgow University until September, alongside an announcement of an extra £300,000 funding.

She adds she understands the pain and frustration families are feeling.

The first minister says the Crown Office has identified another provider for toxicology services.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says he has been contacted by a family that has not been told the cause of death of a family member for three months.

The first minister says if Murdo Fraser provides the details she will direct the Crown Office to contact the family directly.

She says it is important and urgent to address the backlog.

Almost 2,000 families have been failed says Labour MSP Monica Lennon, with some waiting up to nine months.

The Labour MSP calls for the first minister to give this her full attention.

"This has my full attention," replies Ms Sturgeon, citing regular discussions with the Lord Advocate.

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SNP MSP Sandra White asks what action the Scottish government is taking to address the reported problems with toxicology services at the University of Glasgow.

Last month we reported toxicology services were to receive extra funding to help clear a backlog.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said it would be invested to help speed up overdue post-mortem reports.

Since February, nearly 2,000 reports have been delayed as a result of a staff shortage at Glasgow University, which provides a "significant amount" of toxicology services for the Crown.

The £300,000 will allow the university to hire more staff and buy equipment.

The contract will be taken on by an alternative provider from September 2020.

Read more here.

Labour MSP James Kelly raises concerns about pay in the procurator fiscal service. Ms Sturgeon says she values the work of lawyers in the procurator fiscal service, and budget decisions will ensure pay cohesion across public services.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell asks if the first minister will heed the advice of the Infrastructure Commission in the budget to help tackle climate change. The first minister says the government welcomes the advice.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan says Tory MSP Edward Mountain asked at the rural economy committee yesterday whether ferries should have been built in South Korea rather than Port Glasgow. The first minster says she wants to see shipbuilding at Ferguson's shipyard well into the future.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson ask about the coronavirus currently spreading in China.

Mr Gibson asks about what precautions the Scottish government are undertaking.

We are very closely monitoring what is a rapidly evolving situation but the current risk is low, replies the first minister.

She says enhanced monitoring measures are being brought in for flights from Wuhan and Huanggang.

Mr Rennie urges an investigation to look at the contracted-out welfare services for police officers.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader says the Scottish Police Federation have criticised that service.

The first minister pledges to look into it and says she rules nothing out about how to support the mental health of police officers.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie raises the mental health of police officers.

In the last weeks four officers have died from suicide, he tells the chamber.

He calls for an investigation into the mental health of police officers.

The first minister conveys her condolences to the families of the police officers who have died in recent weeks.

Ms Sturgeon agrees about the importance of the mental health of police officers and cites support available to them.

But she agrees further action must be considered.

• SNP MSP Bob Doris refers to a baby foodbank in Springburn and asks about breast feeding and formula guidance. The first minister says nobody should have to reply on charitable food provision, before pledging to ask the health secretary to look into the guidance issue.
• Labour MSP Alex Rowley refers to the Low Carbon Economic Strategy in 2010, saying jobs are not coming to Scotland. Ms Sturgeon shares Mr Rowley's frustration that more of the economic benefit of renewables projects are not coming to Scotland. She adds more pressure must be brought to bear on the UK government where the levers of power lie.
• Green MSP Alison Johnstone says there have been 2,000 objections to the proposals for the £120m flyover at Sheriffhall. Ms Sturgeon says the objections will be considered but if nothing is done the congestion will get worse.

We have a short suspension due to a disturbance in the gallery.

Mr Leonard says in 2013 the government decimated bursary support and, despite promising to dump the debt, it has soared.

"This government is letting down our students but it is also letting down our universities," the Scottish Labour leader adds.

He asks when the budget comes to parliament next month will the first minister reprioritise universities and students.

The first minister points out Labour called yesterday to prioritise local government funding and today it is higher education.

She suggests next week he should say where the extra money should come from.

Ms Sturgeon defends the Scottish government's record on higher education.