Summary

  • MSPs agree the Scottish government's £40bn budget for the coming year, with 63 MSPs voting for it and 55 against

  • Yesterday the government's Scottish Rate Resolution, setting income tax for 2020/21, was agreed to

  • Stage Two amendments to the Budget resulting from the SNP-Green Bill were unanimously passed by the finance committee

  • A budget deal was struck with the Greens which included a free bus travel scheme for under-19s, £95m more for councils and £18m extra for police services

  • During FMQs Nicola Sturgeon says she expects coronavrius numbers to 'rise very rapidly' in the days to come

  1. Short suspension due to protesterpublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    There is a short suspension due to an interruption from the public gallery by a protester on homelessness.

  2. Sex for rent concerns and endometriosis supportpublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    pauline mcneillImage source, bbc

    Labour MSP Pauline McNeill raises concerns about some landlords seeking sex for rent online, targeting vulnerable people by suggesting the arrangement is perfectly suitable for those struggling for money.

    Ms Sturgeon says such arrangements are immoral, and that forcing anyone to take part in sexual activity in any way is illegal. This is unacceptable behaviour and we need to engage with online companies to make them aware of parliament's view, she adds.

    SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks about further action to improve endometriosis diagnosis and treatment.

    The first minister points to funding for research programmes and work to increase awareness of the condition, as well as treatment and support on offer.

  3. Tory MSP calls for action to tackle veterans' suicidepublished at 12:38 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    maurice corryImage source, bbc

    Tory MSP Maurice Corry turns to the issue of veterans’ suicide, saying in recent months 14 have taken their own lives.

    He asks if the Scottish government will emulate the UK government and introduce a high intensity mental health programme.

    Ms Sturgeon says she is glad the UK government has acted on what is manly a reserved matter.

    The first minister adds the Scottish government also takes this seriously and she says the government does a range of work to support veterans.

  4. Firefighters' pay dispute raisedpublished at 12:37 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    james kellyImage source, bbc

    Labour MSP James Kelly says firefighters have rejected the latest pay offer.

    Mr Kelly asks if the first minister accepts firefighters are due a fair settlement.

    Ms Sturgeon points out the transformation plans are not about cutting services, rather they are about reflecting changing roles and extensive negotiations led to the offer in November that was rejected by the FBU.

    She says pay and conditions are for the employer and FBU to agree and she hopes negotiations continue.

  5. Background: Residents' anger over more Mossmorran flaringpublished at 12:33 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    Media caption,

    More flaring over Mossmorran after compressor shutdown

    More unplanned flaring is being carried out at the Mossmorran petrochemical plant in Fife after a problem with a major compressor at the site.

    The environmental watchdog Sepa was alerted by site operator ExxonMobil just before 15:00.

    Residents, who have repeatedly complained about flaring incidents, said flames were visible from Edinburgh and as far away as Dundee.

    Production at the plant only resumed on 21 Februaryafter a temporary shutdown.

  6. Is FM 'too close to the fossil fuel industry' to respond to Mossmorran flaring, asks Green MSPpublished at 12:32 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    alison johnstoneImage source, bbc

    Scottish Green parliamentary co-leader Alison Johnstone says the skies in Fife have been alight due to flaring at Mossmorran and it is having an impact on the health and wellbeing of local people.

    Will a minister visit the area and begin an inquiry or is the first minister "too close to the fossil fuel industry to hold them to account", she asks.

    SEPA must be able to do its job, replies the first minister.

    I understand the concerns of local residents and SEPA continues to take actions it feels it necessary, she adds.

    Ms Johnstone says expressing disappointment does not help people sleep at night and SEPA has issued warning after warning without impact.

    Either SEPA is not up to the job or it does not have the powers to respond, she suggests.

    Ms Sturgeon says neither is the case and the government is focusing on ensuring the problem is addressed properly for the long-term.

  7. Universal Credit claimants should not be sanctioned for having the coronavirus - SNP MSPpublished at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    bob dorisImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Bob Doris raises concerns about welfare claimants who are self-isolating due to being unwell and who have fears they may have coronavirus.

    Mr Doris calls for Universal Credit claimants not to be sanctioned for having coronavirus.

    The first minister agrees and says the DWP must review its guidance now and cannot sanction people who are self-isolating.

    She calls for immediate hardship grants to be introduced by the UK government.

  8. Other airlines to pick up some FlyBe routespublished at 12:27 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    gail rossImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Gail Ross raises the cancellation of FlyBe flights following the firm going into administration and staff who now have no job.

    The first minister says FLyBe had 300 direct employees at its bases in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

    We will provide support through PACE for those facing redundancy, she confirms.

    On the broader impact, we are hoping connectivity will continue with other airlines operating flights she tells the chamber, adding Loganair will maintain links with Southampton and easyjet are to take up routes to Birmingham.

    No island flights are impacted by the FlyBe collapse because these are all operated by Loganair she adds.

  9. Flybe: 'Devastating blow' for Scots travellerspublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    Media caption,

    Flights cancelled as Flybe goes into administration

    Thousands of Scottish travellers have been hit by the collapse of UK airline Flybe.

    The airline operates flights to UK destinations from all of Scotland's large airports with Aberdeen Airport saying five routes were affected there.

    Exeter-based Flybe went into administration after a bid for fresh financial support failed.

    The owner of Aberdeen and Glasgow airports said it was a "devastating blow" for employees and travellers.

  10. Postpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

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  11. Concerns about Mosmorran flaring raisedpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    annabelle ewingImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing raises concerns about the latest Mosmorran flaring and calls for all necessary steps to be taken by the operator to address this.

    Ms Sturgeon says she understands the concerns of the local community and SEPA are seeking detailed information on the latest incident.

  12. Health secretary to make decision on NHS laundry futurepublished at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    labour benchesImage source, bbc

    Mr Leonard says a business case is being made to close half of NHS laundries so only four would be left to serve the whole of mainland Scotland.

    He urges the first minister to ensure the necessary funding and resources are available to councils and the NHS, and to place a moratorium in the plan to close down laundries.

    Ms Sturgeon points to increased resources for local government in the 2020-21 budget in terms of council cleaning services.

    On NHS laundries, she says a new action plan is being developed to ensure the programme is safe and sustainable.

    The final decision on the action plan will be taken by the health secretary and the emerging situation on coronavirus will be a key part of this, she adds.

  13. Concerns about delayed discharge impacting on coronavirus action plan raisedpublished at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    chamberImage source, bbc

    Mr Leonard says the coronavirus action plan agreed to by the four governments in the UK supports early discharge from hospital.

    The Scottish Labour leader says the government's figures show that the delayed discharge of patients has reached record levels.

    He says there are concerns the social care system may not have the resources needed to help discharge patients on time.

    The first minister replies that reducing delayed discharge is a focus of the government regardless of coronavirus.

    She says the health secretary is having meetings today to address this issue.

    Ms Sturgeon adds there is an intensive focus that we can discharge people appropriately to increase hospital capacity.

  14. Postpublished at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

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  16. Postpublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

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  17. How quickly can people be tested for coronavirus?published at 12:16 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    richard leonardImage source, bbc

    Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard says the importance of a UK-wide approach to infection outbreaks is paramount and he welcomes the unified response to date.

    We also welcome the cross-party approach taken by the first minister and health secretary, he adds.

    He asks how quickly people can expect to be tested and what steps are being taken to train and equip staff involved in community testing.

    People can expect to be tested quickly if they contact the NHS and fit the case definition in terms of travel history or contact with people with travel history and symptoms, replies Ms Sturgeon.

    She says testing capacity is adequate at this time but this is being kept under ongoing review.

  18. 'We are not powerless in the face of this'published at 12:15 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    chamberImage source, bbc

    Mr Carlaw says it is the most vulnerable groups, for example those who are older or have compromised immune systems, who will be concerned.

    The first minister accepts the public will be anxious and that will be heightened with those who are vulnerable.

    We must be frank and honest with people and base our decisions on good scientific advice, she adds.

    Ms Sturgeon points out that every day and week we can contain the virus towards the summer will help to reduce the impact.

    She calls again for everyone to wash their hands properly and to follow the advice and pledges to target resources to the most vulnerable is absolutely at the top or our priority list

    "We are not powerless in the face of this," Ms Sturgeon adds.

  19. Postpublished at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

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  20. Availability of beds and increased staff numbers raisedpublished at 12:11 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2020

    jackson carlawImage source, bbc

    Mr Carlaw says an emerging issue is likely to be the availability of beds, asking how many extra beds may be required.

    Ms Sturgeon says assessments are ongoing and it would be premature to give numbers now.

    We are pursuing measures to treat people in the community to ensure hospital beds are there for those who need them most, she adds.

    The Scottish Tory leader says it is important to protect the health workforce, before asking about recruiting retired doctors and nurses to support efforts.

    The first minister says there are more staff per head of population than elsewhere in the UK, before confirming contingency plans are being looked at which may include asking retired health professionals back to work.