Image source, bbc

The report from the Health and Sport Committee stated that there is no doubt about the significant role physical activity and sport, and social prescribing, can contribute as part of preventative care for health and wellbeing.

It questioned why social prescribing was not being delivered at scale across all NHS boards and Integration Authorities.

Find the report here, external

The Lib Dems' Alex Cole Hamilton says we need to be more ambitious when it comes to public health, and should not just alleviate symptoms.

Depression and anxiety can be alleviated by social prescribing, and he says there's a growing inequality between poor and rich areas when it comes to physical activity, and access to it.

Any cost can present a barrier, he tells fellow MSPs.

He says any forms of recreational activity should be included, not just sport, such as The Shed programme in his constituency.

Mr Stewart calls for details of where the 250 community link workers will be based.

"The next step is for social prescriptions to be based on a par with medical prescriptions."

The Labour MSP says any forthcoming investment for social prescribing must be prioritised for spending in the most deprived areas.

He tells the chamber his party learned through an FOI that 11% of funding from the Sport Facilities Fund , externalwent to the most deprived areas.

The minister intervenes to argue Labour have failed to mention a number of caveats mentioned in the response to their FOI.

Mr Stewart stands by the figure of 11% and calls for the government to address Scotland's health inequalities.

Labour MSP David Stewart says social prescribing will be a crucial tool going forward.

It won't work for everyone, but it can be a complement to medical treatment, he says.

No schemes exist in NHS Highland, he says.

He points to several schemes including ones by Cycling UK, which have a positive impact on health.

Mr Whittle says there is a huge discrepancy in access to cycle routes between the better off areas and deprived areas.

The Tory MSP insists there must be an increase in council budgets, which would be an investment not a cost.

A clash over local government funding ensues between SNP MSP Keith Brown and Mr Whittle, which we will examine in much more detail tomorrow morning from 9.30am.

Mr Whittle carries on pointing out the sport budget has been cut in the budget and calls for the third sector to be properly funded, accusing the government of slashing council budgets.

He warns that after this debate "absolutely nothing will change", adding "talk is cheap - its time to show us the money".

Conservative Brian Whittle says the report's finding are 'hardly a breakthrough'.

The former athlete says he's frustrated at the lack of progress on an issue that will help the physical and mental health of all people.

He points to school music budgets being cut, saying music also has a positive impact on health and wellbeing.

The closing of council facilities in more rural areas is adding to the inequality of access to sport, he adds.

The minister accepts barriers exist preventing those from the most deprived areas accessing sport and leisure activities.

Mr Fitzpatrick insists the government is investing in walking through Paths for All, which is accessible and cost free.

He says the principles of realistic medicine are very much in line with the personalised approach seen in social prescribing.

The public health minister says increased resources are being invested in the personalised approach, including by increasing the number of community link workers to 250 in this parliament.

He also cites the investment aimed at creating 800 new mental health jobs.

The minister praises the third sector and stresses the importance of a close relationship between healthcare practitioners and the voluntary and community organisations.

Image source, Getty Images

Regular physical activity lasting 45 minutes three to five times a week can reduce poor mental health - but doing more than that is not always beneficial, a large US study suggests.

A total of 1.2 million people reported their activity levels for a month and rated their mental wellbeing.

People who exercised had 1.5 fewer "bad days" a month than non-exercisers, the study found.

Team sports, cycling and aerobics had the greatest positive impact.

Read more

Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick welcomes the 'constructive' report, saying there's no shortage of evidence of the benefits of physical activity.

The government has increased various budgets, he says, including giving £32.65m to Sport Scotland.

The Physical Health Development Plan will help deliver results, the minister tells the chamber.

Active Schools provides free opportunities for pupils in more deprived areas, he says.

Mr Macdonald says if medical and pharmaceuticals are free then surely social prescriptions must also be and they must be funded on an equitable basis.

He says the committee called for 5% health and social care integration on authorities's budgets which should be spent on social prescribing.

The convener tells the chamber "health is the real wealth" and it needs investment now to support physical and other social activities.

Health and Sport Committee convener Lewis Macdonald says we must move beyond warm words on social prescribing and start to spend serious money on it too.

Mr Macdonald says social prescribing goes well beyond sport and exercise, but nevertheless that was the focus of the committee inquiry.

He says active people are becoming more active, but the number of people who are inactive is growing with the most of these living in our most deprived areas.

Prescriptions for referral classes or activities may incur a cost for the patient, points out the committee convener, in contrast to medicine.

Physical activity is an investment for people and their families and where people can't afford this investment, it is up to government and communities to step in, he says.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The report from the Health and Sport Committee stated that there is no doubt about the significant role physical activity and sport, and social prescribing, can contribute as part of preventative care for health and wellbeing.

It questioned why social prescribing was not being delivered at scale across all NHS boards and Integration Authorities.

Find the report here, external

Social Prescribing: Physical Activity is an Investment, Not a Cost.

Labour MSP Alex Rowley calls for an independent inquiry looking at the condition of the plant itself.

Mr Rowley says the flaring happens when something in the plant breaks and he asks what the condition of Mosmorran is.

He also asks about the health and wellbeing of the people living nearby.

The minister understands the concerns but adds the government must wait and see the outcome of Sepa's investigation.

An independent inquiry has not been ruled out, adds the minister.

Ms Gougeon says previous flaring was unacceptable, and says there will be a reduction.

The unplanned flaring went on for four hours, causing extreme disturbance, says Ms Ewing.

Sepa needs to apply more pressure to the owners, she adds - to 'get tough' with fines.

Image source, Darren Watt

The restart which caused huge unplanned flaring at the Mossmorran petrochemical plant in Fife on Thursday night "is likely to continue into the weekend".

The environmental watchdog, Sepa, said the four-hour event was a result of a problem with one of the process units and reduced capacity of ground flares.

Operator ExxonMobil apologised for any intrusion.

Many local residents took to social media to complain, with reports of the flames being visible from Edinburgh.

Read more

SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing asks the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on elevated flaring at Mossmorran.

Image source, bbc

Natural Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon says she visited Newcastleton this morning and expresses sympathies to those affected.

She praises the first responders, emergency services and residents for their actions in response to Storm Dennis.

The minister adds flood prevention is a priority for the government.

Ms Hamilton says Storm Dennis caused unprecedented flooding at the weekend hitting Newcastleton the worst.

The Tory MSP asks what immediate support will be given to Newcastleton.

The minister says she has undertaken some actions immediately, looking at temporary accommodation with the housing minister.

Ms Gougeon says she is absolutely committed to supporting the local authority as well as the local people and business people.

She says she is happy to return to Newcastleton in the near future to look at what progress is being made.