A a majority of the Local Government and Communities Committee, whilst commending the intent behind the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, did not support its general principles in their Stage 1 report, external.

Concerns were raised about the disparity between the costs presented in the Financial Memorandum and the costs estimated by the Scottish government to implement a universal scheme.

The committee said more work was needed to clarify these final costs is needed before legislation should be contemplated.

The majority of the committee were also concerned about legislation that would impose a duty on, as yet unidentified, public bodies.

Image source, Getty Images

MSPs will shortly debate the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill, external for the first time, before being asked to vote on its general principles at decision time.

The current Order specifies a sum of money to be paid by the SPCB to political parties, for each MSP, as a maximum 2 reimbursement for expenses incurred in performing their parliamentary duties.

In the 2017-18 period, it was £8,224.68.

It has been argued that the Scottish Government, as the party or parties of power, is not ideally placed to determine the funding of non-Government political parties.

The Scottish government has indicated it is content for the transfer of this power go from it to the SPCB.

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MSPs will debate whether or not to agree a proposal for a Committee Bill - the Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Political Parties) Bill, external.

The bill will transfer responsibility for the arrangements for financial assistance to non-Government political parties represented in the Scottish Parliament from Scottish ministers to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

The mechanism for the provision of funding to opposition parties is governed by the Scotland Act 1998, which allows for an Order in Council to provide for the payment of money to non-government parties – so-called “Short money”,

That term is named after Edward Short (later Lord Glenamara), the former Leader of the House of Commons.

Standards, Procedures and PublicAppointments Committee, external convener Bill Kidd will open the debate.

Beatrice Wishart says the report shows exam performance declining, attainment falling and teachers in need of support.

The Lib Dem MSP asks if classroom support and assistants will be included in the OECD review of the curriculum for excellence.

Mr Swinney denies attainment is falling and says Angela Morgan (chair of the review of the implementation of additional support for learning) was sent by the government to explore the issues around classroom support and assistants.

"I expect to receive her report shortly."

He cites £50m of additional funds laid out in the budget for additional support for learning.

Green MSP Ross Greer asks whether the OECD review will look subject by subject to identify specific problems.

Mr Swinney says the SQA provides a subject by subject report on the performance on exams.

There may not be the "understanding of standards" between what SQA expect and what practitioners in schools are following in some subjects and there is a need for ongoing inquiry here, he accepts.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says there are genuine questions to be raised from the report released last week, citing concerns about transparency from the SQA.

A 10% drop in the pass rate in some exams is not volatility, and teachers and parents are concerned, Mr Greene says.

"I think it's crystal clear that the SQA is a body that acts independent of government," replies Mr Swinney.

The education secretary says the Curriculum and Assessment Board inform government on the wider education strategy.

Mr Gray says the Higher pass rates indicates a trend of falling attainment and he calls for the review to consider reasons for this.

The education secretary says the 2018/19 exam results were "strong", adding the National 5 pass rate went up and, while the Higher pass rate went down, it was still 75%.

He says he has commissioned various pieces of work to explore these issues.

Mr Gray says the analysis of the SQA exam results saw a drop in attainment in 32 out of 46 subjects by as much as 10% in a single year.

The Labour MSP says at every stage of the review announced by Mr Swinney, he has "had to be dragged there".

I face up to the issues in Scottish education on a daily basis, the education secretary replies.

He says the review will help strengthen learning and teaching in the years to come.

However he stresses the strength of the education system.

Education Secretary John Swinney confirms agreement has been reached with the OECD on the remit of the review, which will be published tomorrow.

It will cover broad general education and the senior phase, and the articulation between the two he tells the chamber.

The government will provide evidence for the OECD to consider, Mr Swinney says, adding he would expect this to also cover the 2019 exam diet results.

Image source, Getty Images

Opposition parties have criticised the Scottish government after an official report revealed a decline in the exam performance of school pupils.

The analysis, external was posted on the government's website at 20:00 on Thursday.

It reveals that the number of students achieving passes in core Higher subjects dropped significantly in 2019, in some cases by as much as 10%.

The Conservatives said there were "clearly major problems" in education.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Iain Gray asks the Scottish government how the recently published analysis of SQA exam attainment will influence the remit of its review of secondary education

The Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, delivers today's time for reflection.

The much anticipated first debate on the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill dominates our coverage of the Scottish Parliament this afternoon.

2.05 pm Topical Questions: Exam pass rates

2.20-2.55 pm: Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Debate: Assistance for Political Parties

Image source, GETTY IMAGES

2.55-5 pm:Stage 1 Debate: Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill

5.05 pm: Member's Business: Jackie Baillie – ENABLE Scotland Campaign, In Safe Hands?