That concludes our live coverage of FMQs.

If you're just joining us or need a recap here are the main headlines from the session:

• Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross challenged the first minister on police funding cuts and their consequences, point to the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell
• The first minister paid tribute to the victims of the M9 crash and argued that the government had increased officer numbers and reduced crime
• Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also asked what the first minister would do about police funding and pointed to plans to close 30 police stations
• Humza Yousaf told the chamber that the government had not approved plans in relation to the police estate - but it would replace outdated and underused properties
• The first minister was also questioned on cuts to the Creative Scotland budget and expanding free bus travel to asylum seekers

Thank you for joining us. The editor was Catherine Lyst. The writers were Katy Scott, Auryn Cox and Ashleigh Keenan-Bryce.

Orkney Island MSP, Liam McArthur, says Orkney Islands Council has called for the Scottish government national islands plan, external to be scrapped after "little or no progress has been made" on its 13 objectives.

He asks if the first minister accepts that a more tightly focused plan would offer a greater chance of objectives being met rather than the Scottish government "overpricing and underdelivering" for Orkney and other island communities.

Mr Yousaf said he doesn't believe there is merit in scrapping the national islands plan but says the Scottish government is committed to making good on the promises outlined in the plan.

He adds that he is willing to discuss "the art of the possible" in discussing the merits of a single island authority.

Image source, Alstom

The SNP MSP John Mason asks whether the cancellation of the HS2 high-speed rail line from the West Midlands to Manchester will have any impact on Scotland.

Humza Yousaf says the Scottish government has always supported a high-speed rail programme which would benefit Scotland.

"It's quite clear this latest UK government decision, this latest broken promise, will negatively impact on Scotland's ambition for net zero, for our economy, for enhancing our rail capacity and indeed for our connectivity," he says.

He adds it will take time to fully understand the impact of the cancellation of HS2 but that long distance travel in the UK will continue to struggle to compete against domestic air travel.

"This will not help us deliver on those important climate change targets that we must achieve," he adds.

Tory MSP Roz McCall asks the first minister what the Scottish government is doing to address "appalling" waiting times for gynaecological services.

Mr Yousaf says Roz McCall is right to raise the issue and will look into the particular matter she raised of endometriosis waiting times in Fife.

He says the government has ambitious plans for reducing the "far too long" waiting times for women who suffer from endometriosis and related conditions.

Scottish Conservative MSP Sharon Dowey asks what action the Scottish government will take to tackle the reported rising rates of crime and anti-social behaviour at retail premises.

Humza Yousaf says the latest data does show there has been an increase in shoplifting but it remains below pre-pandemic levels.

"I do absolutely recognise the disruption, the harm that's caused to businesses from theft and anti-social behaviour," he says.

He adds that the government is working with Police Scotland and other groups to tackle the issue.

Ms Dowey says she has met various retailers in her area who say the problem is getting out of control. She asks what action the minister will take to protect retail workers.

Mr Yousaf quotes an Ulster University professor who said rises in shoplifting had been seen before during pervious times of austerity or economic downturns.

"The Conservatives would do well to listen to that," the first minister adds.

Image source, Iain Taggart

Labour MSP Katy Clark asks the first minister about the impact of operational changes in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) on response times to recent incidents.

She points to recent fires at the Ayr Station Hotel and Kitty’s nightclub in Kirkcaldy.

The first minister says the SFRS has confirmed that the recent changes have not impacted on the outcome of the Ayr Station Hotel incident, and the Kirkcaldy fire took place before the changes came into effect.

He adds that the government has increased its funding for the SFRS this financial year.

Scottish Greens MSP, Maggie Chapman, asks the first minister to confirm the work done to shift from a carbon economy to a renewables economy, with policies such as free bus travel for under 22s and an end to peak rail fares, are vital to the twin mission of tackling the climate emergency and tackling poverty.

Mr Yousaf says the climate catastrophe does not impact everyone equally, with those who are vulnerable or in areas of high deprivation being impacted more.

He agrees it is important to have a "just transition" to a low carbon economy on delivering on environmental obligations.

Also on the theme of arts funding, Tory MSP Donald Cameron asks about Scottish government's decision to reinstate a £6.6m cut to the Creative Scotland budget.

He asks the first minister about the government's "mixed messages and broken promises".

Mr Yousaf says that every single regularly-funded organisation will continue to receive its funding this financial year as the government has asked Creative Scotland to use a portion of its £17m reserves to assist with financial challenges.

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish government has reimposed a £6.6m budget cut on arts body Creative Scotland.

The cut had been reversed earlier this year after a campaign by the Scottish arts sector, but was reintroduced a week ago in the autumn budget.

Creative Scotland will use National Lottery funding reserves to plug the gap, but said the moment was a "tipping point" for an already-fragile sector.

The Scottish government said the funding would resume next year.

The board of Creative Scotland agreed to use their National lottery reserve fund. They advised ministers that it was their only source of additional funding.

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries nationwide.

It provides funding for projects including individual artists, musicians, charities, theatres and film studios.

• Creative Scotland has £6.6m budget cut reimposed
• Scotland's culture sector is in funding crisis, MSPs warn

Falkirk MSP Michelle Thomson asks the Scottish government what funding it is providing to Creative Scotland.

The first minister said the government provides considerable funding for Creative Scotland, including £27m for its regularly funded organisations and £9.5m for the youth music initiative.

The Falkirk MSP follows up by asking if the first minister will re-double efforts to support the arts sector.

Mr Yousaf says he can commit to this and the government will try to support the arts sector even when its budget is constrained.

Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney asks the first minister if free bus travel can be extended to people seeking asylum.

Mr Yousaf said the government is considering doing this, but it does not have full immigration powers.

He said the government has limitations in its budget but will consider the proposal.

Favourite topics back in playpublished at 12:30 British Summer Time 5 October 2023

12:30 BST 5 October 2023

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent

It appears to be policing week at FMQs, with Anas Sarwar asking about police station closures as well as officer numbers.

Rather than throwing in a blizzard of stats, he went with another FMQs staple - quoting the Scottish Police Federation, and asking “why won’t the first minister listen to officers”.

Mr Yousaf is a former justice minister, so was again able to throw back some figures about the fall in crime in Scotland since the SNP took office.

And while Mr Sarwar built up to a favourite point - that the SNP should be held centrally responsible for services after 16 years in power at Holyrood - the first minister also pivoted to his favourite topic, that Scotland would be better off as an independent country.

Anas Sarwar says the Scottish Police Federation has warned that people may die if further cuts go ahead.

"Why won't the first minister listen to police officers serving on the frontlines to keep our communities safe?,"he asks.

The FM says the government listens to police officers regularly and points out that Police Scotland have recruited almost 600 officers this year.

"We have invested in Police Scotland and that's why we have more police officers here in Scotland than in England or indeed in Labour-run Wales," he says.

He adds that Police Scotland are the best paid-police force in the UK.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is up next and he also asks the first minister about police funding.

"When will residents be told which local police stations are closing and can the first minister tell us why he approves of these plans to decimate the police presence in Scotland's communities," he asks.

Humza Yousaf says that is "another inaccuracy" because the government has not approved any plans in relation to the police estate.

"Police Scotland's estate strategy was published in 2019," he says.

"It outlined plans to replace outdated and under-used properties and replace them and that is the key word."

He says that communities are safer since the SNP has been in government.

Statistics and personal attackspublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 5 October 2023

12:19 BST 5 October 2023

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Justice is a popular topic for Douglas Ross, who would like his Scottish Tories to be the party of law and order.

And another familiar element of today’s debate was both parties being able to cite statistics supporting completely opposing arguments.

Mr Ross rattled off the number of police officers since the creation of Police Scotland - down 700, in his telling.

But Humza Yousaf had his own figure, preferring the number since the SNP took office in 2007, as well as the number of officers per head of population.

Around 200% of arguments can be won using statistics, but the two leaders didn’t limit themselves to dry figures.

There were sharp personal attacks too, with Mr Ross accusing the first minister of “loving the sound of his own voice”, and Mr Yousaf accusing his opponent of “lying” - something which led him into a confrontation with the presiding officer, ultimately resulting in an apology.

Image source, Getty Images

Mr Ross pushes the first minister on answering his questions fully.

He calls Humza Yousaf a "criminal's dream".

Why is he being so secretive about the consequences of the SNP's cuts on Police Scotland, he asks.

The first minister says there are more officers per head in Scotland than in England and Wales, crime is down, and officers are paid more fairly.

He said Mr Ross's lies about the police service will not wash.

The presiding officer urges the first minister to apologise.

He calls it a "deliberate inaccuracy" and is urged to apologise twice more.

He finally apologises to the chamber.

The Scottish Tory leader says SNP budget cuts mean that police are being forced to close 30 stations across Scotland.

He asks the first minister to be upfront on which stations will be closed.

Mr Yousaf says it often makes sense to "co-locate with partner organisations in well-equipped, modern accommodation" where stations are under-used.

He says the government will leave operational decisions to Police Scotland.

Police Scotland is preparing to sell off 30 more of its properties, after warnings that force spending could go £19m over budget.

The Scottish Police Authority heard that finances have worsened - despite recent efforts to cut back on expenditure such as overtime costs.

Police Scotland earned more than £28m from nearly 100 sales of former stations and other property since 2013.

• Police Scotland to sell 30 more buildings in £19m budget warning
• Police Scotland make £28.5m from property sales

Douglas Ross says the true number of police officers has fallen by 700 since the creation of Police Scotland.

He blames a lack of funding, with the force being required to make further cuts.

The Scottish Tory leader asks the first minister to publish the full list of crimes that police will not investigate due to funding pressures.

Mr Yousaf blames the Tories "economic mismanagement" of public finances by the UK government.

He says recorded crime in Scotland is at "one of its lowest levels in almost half a century".

Image source, bbc

Douglas Ross gets to his feet and FMQs begins.

The Scottish Conservative leader leads with police funding cuts.

He says officer numbers are falling since the creation of Police Scotland and points to staffing failures in the deaths of John Yuill and his partner Lamara Bell following the crash on the M9 in 2015.

He asks: “How much longer will Humza Yusaf let them fall?”

The first minister argues that the SNP government has increased police numbers by 300 since they came to power.

He says the government has invested £1.45bn in police budget this financial year, and the Conservatives have decreased police numbers in England.