Image source, PA Media

That's all from Holyrood Live on Wednesday 4 March 2020.

MSPs have voted to back the Scottish government's income tax plans, 24 hours before its budget is due to go before parliament.

The Scottish government proposed freezing the two highest tax brackets for 2020-21, while the threshold for the basic and intermediate rate of tax will rise by 0.2% and 0.9% respectively.

Public Finance Minister Ben Macpherson said the move would "continue a progressive approach to income tax".

The Greens abstained from the rate resolution to allow is to pass, but co-leader Patrick Harvie said it "should go further".

The Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems voted against the resolution.

Watch the Stage Three debate on the Budget Bill tomorrow from 3:05pm.

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey tells the chamber she was moved and inspired by eating disorder services in Glasgow which she visited yesterday.

Even when things are at their darkest, the right help and support can make a world of difference she says.

Those supporting individuals with an eating disorder must also be provided with support and information, the minister adds.

She points to the expansion of NHS Lothian and Beat's peer support network, external last year.

The minister also cites the review of eating disorder services due to be published next Spring.

The national review will:

• cover eating disorder services for both adults and young people from the age of 12 and up
• conduct a needs assessment of services that are provided by the third sector and community eating disorder support across Scotland
• cross-reference the findings of this needs assessment with the findings of the MWC report, so that we have a full picture of the current system of support that is available for those with an eating disorder
• make recommendations for how specialist eating disorder services can best be provided in urban, semi-urban and rural areas, and
• make recommendations for what the age limit (if any) of an eating disorder service should be

Read more here., external

"If you know somebody who has an eating disorder or who you think might have an eating disorder, Beat can help you.

"Beat’s support services, external are here for you as well as the person you’re caring for.

"You may also find our Guide for Friends & Family, external booklet helpful. For younger carers, we offer an alternative guide for 11-18 year olds, external."

Read more here., external

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP David Stewart points out diagnosis of eating disorders is delayed and often missed, yet anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

Mr Stewart says families and friends of someone with an eating disorder need help and support too and he praises BEAT for their work in this area.

He says he has signed up with BEAT this week to call for the best support of friends and family to help their loved ones to overcome an eating disorder.

The Labour MSP concludes calling for better care for people with eating disorders, for their families and friends and concludes with a message for them: "no matter where you, you're on the road to recovery, we support you".

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart says there has been a worrying increase of eating disorders in Scotland.

He highlights the role social media can play and says more must be done to address this.

The time it takes for a person with an eating disorders to seek help is mentioned and the Tory MSP says many adults are unable to list the signs of the condition.

"Eating disorders are a terrible situation for any individual of any age to have to suffer," he tells the chamber.

Eating disorder services will be subject to a national review, designed to assess and improve support for people living with an eating disorder, the Scottish government has announced.

The review will publish in spring next year and will provide a full picture of the current support available for those with an eating disorder. It will then offer a number of recommendations to inform improvement work throughout 2021.

It forms part of the programme of work to improve performance in mental health waiting times and support early intervention in community settings and across the third sector, local government and the NHS.

Work on the review will last for six months and start following the publication of the Mental Welfare Commission’s (MWC) report on eating disorder services is expected in summer 2020. The MWC report will be used as a solid foundation for the review.

In 2012 we reported the then MSP for Aberdeenshire West gave a courageous and emotional speech in Holyrood about the death of his daughter to raise awareness about severe eating disorders.

Dennis Robertson's daughter Caroline died as a result of anorexia.

Read more here.

Emma Harper says Eating Disorders Awareness Week takes place from 2-8 March and this year's theme is Why Wait?

Ms Harper praises former MSP Dennis Robertson who has been so brave in highlighting his daughter Caroline, who died from an eating disorder, to help campaign to tackle the illness.

Ms Harper, a former senior nurse, welcomes the Scottish government's announcement of a review of the services that support those with an eating disorders, set to be published in Spring next year.

She says the government's mental health strategy acknowledges the crucial role the third sector plays in providing services and support.

Image source, Getty Images

SNP MSP Emma Harper leads a debate marking Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2020.

In her motion the former senior nurse says approximately 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder.

She praises organisations like Beat, external and the Scottish Eating Disorders Interest Group, external, as well as Diabetes Scotland, external.

Image source, bbc

Patrick Harvie was conscious when he made his speech there are people who reject the term "cisgender" and he reflected that.

The Scottish Green Party co-leader say he fully respects that opinion but adds he is a cisgender person himself.

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh confirms respect is a matter for the chair.

As a result, he confirms he has reviewed the contribution made and decided the term was not used in an inappropriate way and was not an insult.

The term 'cis' is not a banned word in this parliament he says, but he accepts this is a polarised debate.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Elaine Smith tries to raise a point of order saying she was offended by the use of term "cisgender" during the debate on International Women's Day debate yesterday.

Ms Smith calls on it not to be used again in the chamber.

Image source, Getty Images

In October 2017, the Scottishgovernment published its five year Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and training strategy, external.

The strategy covers activity to take place in the period 2017 to 2022.

It sets out a 3 vision for Scotland “in which everyone is encouraged and supported to develop their STEM skills throughout their lives, enabling them to be inquiring, productive and innovative, in order to grow STEM literacy in society and drive inclusive economic growth”.

Read the SPICE briefing here., external

Beatrice Wishart says it is crucial to develop curiosity in the early years to foster a lifelong interest in science and technology.

The Lib Dem MSP explains teachers' desires to upskill is not always matched by their ability to get on a course.

Ms Wishart says teacher workload can prevent engaging in a course.

She tells the chamber it is disappointing that teacher workload is not being looked at in the OECD review of the Curriculum for Excellence.