Ms Sturgeon says decisions on how to allocate police resources are for the chief constable to take and says a final destination has yet to be chosen.

However specialist surveillance services continue, she adds.

Mr Smyth asks why is the message to young people in Dumfries and Galloway that if they want a career in Police Scotland they must move to the cities.

"With the greatest of respect that is a ridiculous thing to say," retorts Ms Sturgeon.

She says she cannot dictate to the chief constable how he deploys his resources.

From the Sunday Post, external:

"A police surveillance team monitoring a major route used by organised crime gangs trafficking drugs into Scotland is being shut down.

"The unit, based in Dumfries and Galloway, is to be wound up even though the south east’s road and ferry links make it a crucial route for drug gangs. The region also has the most drug-related crime in rural Scotland.

"Official figures also show Scotland has the highest drug death rate in the European Union, with 1,187 people dying in 2018.

"The Dumfries-based team helps monitor organised crime gangs moving illegal drugs shipments through the port of Cairnryan from Northern Ireland, and couriers who drive consignments north from England up the M74."

Read more of the Sunday Post article here., external

Labour MSP Colin Smyth asks the first minister what the Scottish government’s response is to reports that Police Scotland is centralising specialist surveillance officer posts away from Dumfries and Galloway.

The first minister says the government is determined to ensure any young person requiring support has their needs met.

She points to £250m being invested over five years to support positive mental health action for children and young people.

Mr Whittle says young people must be assured they will get the help they need at the first time of asking.

Ms Sturgeon says she readily recognises rejected referrals and long waiting times, which is why the government is seeking to transform the nature of services by investing in community-based support and counsellors in schools.

Labour MSP Mary Fee says a significant number of people on anti-depressants actually have undiagnosed bipolar disorder.

Ms Sturgeon says it is for doctors to make decisions on prescriptions but she recognises the need for a broader range of services to be available for those with mental health challenges.

Image source, Getty Images

Campaigners have warned that child mental health services in Scotland are "cracking at the seams".

The Scottish Children's Services Coalition says research suggests 10% of five to 16-year-olds have a clinically-diagnosable mental health problem.

But they say spending from the NHS budget in services is equivalent to just 50p in every £100 spent.

The Scottish government says it is investing in services and guidance has been issued to health boards.

• Child mental health patients waiting over a year trebles
• Pioneering mental health scheme extended
• Call to reduce child mental health waits
• Read more here

Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks what action the government is taking to support young people with mental health issues.

The first minister replies the Scottish government will do just that and will maintain or exceed EU environmental standards after Brexit.

Mr Stevenson says whenever we hear UK government ministers talking about the ability to diverge, we have to ask what the purpose of that would be.

She ponders it would be to allow a "race to the bottom" on environmental standards and workers' rights.

Tory MSP Maurice Golden says the SNP are set to miss a range of environmental targets and asks why.

Ms Sturgeon insists the Scottish government is a world leader on a range of environmental issues.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish asks when the Scottish government will announce interim measures to replicate the oversight and enforcement roles of the EU on environmental issues.

"Very soon," replies Ms Sturgeon.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks, in light of the Prime Minister's statement that the UK will refuse close alignment with EU rules, whether the Scottish government will remain aligned with EU environmental standards.

SNP MSP Gail Ross says post-Brexit fish exports from the UK are likely to face tariffs and regulation, adding to costs and making them less competitive. The first minister says she fears the promises made to the fishing communities by the Conservatives will be broken in the months ahead of us.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says 195 homeless people died in 2018 according to recent figures, a rate more than twice that of England and Wales. Ms Sturgeon says the figures are "completely and utterly unacceptable". She says there has been a bigger increase in England and Wales than Scotland, and points to work on ending homeless and drugs deaths.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill raises resignations and sackings at the Glasgow School of Art which she says follow whistleblowing, urging the Scottish government to step in. Ms Sturgeon says GSA is independent of government and accountable to its own board. She says protecting whistleblowers is important, however.

Scottish Green Party parliamentary co-leader Alison Johnstone begins by saying she is no doubt Derek Mackay's behaviour was appalling and adds it is essential the teenage boy and his family receive all the support they need.

Ms Johnstone raises the issue of A&E waiting times and the impact on patients, doctors and staff

"The system as a whole isn't working, is it first minister?," she says.

Ms Sturgeon does not agree saying the government is addressing this whole system issue and cites record NHS funding levels. She points out A&E waiting times are better in Scotland than the rest of the UK.

The Scottish Green Party parliamentary co-leader says A&E departments are busier than ever as people can't get GP appointments.

Ms Johnstone says the first minister's 2020 vision, set out when she was health secretary in 2011, has failed.

Ms Sturgeon disagrees with this citing rising demand in the NHS, a decade of austerity and pledges to continue the hard work of reform to ensure people are treated in the community where possible.

Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart says it has been seven years since four people died in an helicopter crash at Sumburgh Airport but there has been no fatal accident inquiry. Ms Sturgeon says the decision on FAIs are not for her but for the Crown Office and law officers.

Tory MSP Tom Mason says a new cancer centre in Aberdeen is millions over budget and delayed. The first minister says investment in the NHS has meant new facilities like this can go ahead and confirms the health secretary will write to the MSP with more information.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs cites a constituent who received damages after negligent treatment and calls for an independent review into his case. Ms Sturgeon says she will review the case.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says patients and staff of NHS Lothian have the right to know why the chair has resigned and why the board has been put into special measures.

The first minister say the chair resigned because he disagreed with an assessment from the chief executive of NHS Scotland.

Green MSP Ross Greer raises the issue of air pollution at Bearsden Primary school and the first minister confirms the environment secretary will look into this.