Summary

  • MSPs vote to back Nicola Sturgeon's call for a new referendum on Scottish independence, with 64 backing it and 54 against

  • The Scottish Parliament also votes to keep the European flag flying at Holyrood after Brexit, following a fiery debate in the chamber

  • Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh confirms the SPCB will amend its policy on flying the European flag outside Holyrood immediately

  • During the indyref2 debate the first minister said 'Scotland's future should be determined by all of us who live here'

  • Jackson Carlaw insisted Scottish government should focus on public services not 'polling and spin'

  1. That's all from BBC Holyrood Live!published at 17:54 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    First Minister Nicola SturgeonImage source, Andrew Cowan

    That all from BBC Scotland's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 29 January 2020.

    MSPs have backed calls for a new referendum on Scottish independence in a vote at Holyrood.

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants to hold a new poll later this year, and wants UK ministers to agree to this.

    But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has rejected her call for a transfer of powers, saying the 2014 vote was a "once in a generation" event.

    MSPs voted by 64 to 54 to agree that circumstances have changed since then, and that "a referendum should be held".

    The vote is not binding on the UK government, and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack told BBC Scotland that the UK government's position was "not remotely" changed by it.

    Ms Sturgeon is due to make a speech on Friday setting out the "next steps" in the "campaign to secure Scotland's future as an independent nation".

  2. Meanwhile...published at 17:54 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

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  3. Public health minister praises work of 'amazing' Marie Curie Scotlandpublished at 17:52 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Public Health Minister Joe FitzpatrickImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick

    Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says this debate has caused him to remember family members he has lost and he thanks Rhoda Grant for sharing her personal experiences.

    Mr Fitzpatrick praises the amazing Marie Curie Scotland for their work in this area.

    He says ensuring everyone in Scotland can live with human dignity is crucial, as is the provision of effective and compassionate palliative care.

    The minister details actions being taken to meet the challenges of delivering high quality palliative care at home, but adds with challenges there are opportunities.

  4. Background: Warning over 'unnecessary' hospital admissions for terminally ill patientspublished at 17:51 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Older person in hospital bedImage source, Getty Images

    The NHS could be facing an annual bill of more than £470m to cope with emergency admissions for terminally ill patients, a leading charity said in March 2018.

    Marie Curie said improved community care could avoid unnecessary strain on Scottish hospitals.

    It found that in 2016 there were nearly 100,000 emergency admissions, external for people in the last year of their life, costing the NHS £285m.

    The charity warned that could almost double over the next twenty years.

    Read more.

  5. Background: Hospital at home blueprintspublished at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Older persons hand held by younger personImage source, Getty Images

    What are the Scottish government's plans for 'hospital at home' care?

    The most recent programme for government, external said: "We will create a blueprint for the development of hospital at home services across Scotland, based on existing good practice in areas such as Lanarkshire and Fife.

    "The blueprint will form part of the Framework for Community Health and Social Care Integrated Services, which is currently under development."

  6. Postpublished at 17:44 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

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  7. Motion calls for 'automatic right' to hospital at home carepublished at 17:43 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    That the Parliament understands that 70% of the population in Scotland wish to die at home; notes that many Highlands and Islands-based GPs are trained in palliative care that can support those who wish to die at home; believes however that not all areas of the region have charities or carers who provide "hospital at home care", especially overnight, and notes the calls for there to be an automatic right for people to have full care at home day or night for their last few days of life, so that then can have their wish fulfilled by being able to die at home with suitable palliative care.Image source, Scottish Parliament
    Image caption,

    This is the motion for debate

  8. Call for embedding human rights in end of life carepublished at 17:40 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Labour MSP David Stewart

    Labour MSP David Stewart says substantial investment in community based care, including care home capacity, is needed if the majority of deaths are to happen at home by 2040.

    Home care services for the dying are patchy at best, he tells the chamber.

    We need to shift the balance to train more nurses and carers, and also ensure they are better paid the Labour MSP argues.

    Mr Stewart says the right to die at home is about embedding human rights in end of life care.

    He calls for end of life care to be at the top of the agenda.

  9. MSPs begin debate on a right to full palliative care at homepublished at 17:38 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Hand being held

    Labour MSP David Stewart is leading this evening's member's debate.

    He is highlighting calls for an automatic right to palliative care at home and gaps in the provision of such services.

  10. Postpublished at 17:27 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

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  11. Postpublished at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

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  12. MSPs back new independence referendumpublished at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020
    Breaking

    Sturgeon at rallyImage source, Getty Images

    The first minister's motion which calls for the Scottish Parliament to be given the power to hold a second independence referendum passes with 64 votes for and 54 against.

    Government motionImage source, Scottish Parliament
  13. Opposition amendments on indyref2 rejectedpublished at 17:11 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    The opposition party amendments on indyref2 powers are all rejected.

    Opposition amendmentsImage source, Scottish Parliament
  14. Postpublished at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

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  15. SPCB to amend policy to keep European flag flying post-Brexit immediatelypublished at 17:09 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh confirms the SPCB will amend its policy on flying the European flag outside Holyrood with immediate effect.

  16. MSPs vote to keep European flag flying outside Holyroodpublished at 17:07 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020
    Breaking

    Flags outside HolyroodImage source, Getty Images

    The Scottish government's motion to "direct" the SPCB to keep the European flag flying outside of Holyrood is passed by 63 votes for, 54 against and one abstention.

    Government motionImage source, Scottish Parliament
  17. Opposition flag amendments defeatedpublished at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Conservative and Labour amendments regarding the flag outside of Holyrood are both defeated.

    Labour and Tory amendmentsImage source, Scottish Parliament
  18. 'If this parliament votes for a referendum it will have it'published at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Brexit Secretary Mike RussellImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Brexit Secretary Mike Russell

    Brexit Secretary Mike Russell says this debate is taking place because in two days time Scotland will be taken out of the EU against our will.

    Mr Russell, who we should perhaps from now on give his official title of Constitutional Relations Secretary, tells the chamber what he says are the failures of the Tory government in delivery of public services in England.

    He argues this does not compare favourably with Scotland's public services, which he insists are performing better than down south and accuses the Scottish Conservatives of "pure deflection".

    The cabinet secretary says: "We are delivering in government."

    He insists it is the Tories who are obsessed with the constitution by spending every single moment on Brexit.

    This can be solved by voting for independence, he insists.

    The minister concludes:"If this parliament votes for a referendum, it will have it."

  19. Tory MSP criticises government on health, education and economypublished at 16:54 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Tory MSP Adam Tomkins

    Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says time is precious and limited, but the SNP do not want to use it to talk about health, the economy or schools.

    "In breach of clear manifesto promises" the SNP raised income tax and has failed to grow the tax based, he says.

    The Tory MSP says the government is "failing" to tackle the attainment gap and other school issues.

    Scotland's future needs a health population supported and nurtured by a world class health service, he adds, going on to highlight missed treatment time guarantees and a health board on special measures.

  20. No majority demand for indyref2 argues Labour MSPpublished at 16:47 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2020

    Labour MSP Alex RowleyImage source, bbc

    Alex Rowley very much recognises the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the form of government that best suits its needs.

    The Labour MSP says there is nothing in the Smith Commission to prevent Scotland becoming independent and he also accepts there has been a material change since 2014.

    He argues however there is no evidence of any material change of public opinion towards independence or indeed the desire to have another independence referendum.

    The country remains absolutely divided on this question and poll after poll has failed to show a majority of people want indyref2, he adds.