Good afternoon, colleagues. We will begin with First Minister’s question time but, before we turn to questions, I invite the First Minister to update the Parliament on the...

1. I add my condolences to the loved ones of those who have died. This week, we have heard more allegations about the scandal engulfing Nicola Sturgeon’s Government. At her press conference...

2. My thoughts are with all those who have lost a loved one to Covid. I also want to thank our amazing national health service staff, who continue to go above and beyond. We know that the...

3. I join other members in offering my condolences to all those who have lost a loved one because of Covid or who have been affected by the pandemic. In just eight months’ time, the nations...

4. This week, I met teachers who are employed on casual, short-term and zero-hours contracts. The numbers that are employed in that way have mushroomed in recent years. The group I met speaks for...

5. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is regarding the impact on Scotland of reported figures indicating that the barriers and uncertainty created by Brexit...

6. To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to revitalise the airline sector. (S5F-04902)

7. To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will adopt the Scottish mesh survivors charter. (S5F-04901)

I have previously raised the plight of my Springburn constituent Giorgi Kakava—a young man of 13 whose mother tragically passed away in 2018. Giorgi was three when they arrived in Scotland,...

My question also deals with flexibility in immigration. I have a constituent who is in the third trimester of her pregnancy and will soon no longer be allowed to fly. She is returning to Scotland...

As Scotland emerged from the first lockdown, I highlighted to the First Minister my concern that care packages, which had been withdrawn as the virus took hold, had been reduced or...

In one recent case, a Borders constituent was asked to take a 140-mile round trip for a vaccination. Another was told to travel from Gorebridge to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, a...

On Monday, the Scottish Government reporter overturned Aberdeen City Council’s unanimous cross-party decision not to build on Rubislaw quarry, despite huge local protests and nearly 1,500...

Yesterday, Focus on Labour Exploitation and Fife Migrants Forum published a report on the risk of abuse and exploitation that the seasonal workers pilot presents. The report highlights serious...

As a nation, we face quite a challenge with repairs and maintenance of tenement property—I should say that I live in such a property. Will the “Housing to 2040” report move us...

Since last summer, the closure of the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful pass has caused misery for Argyll residents who use that lifeline route, with months of disruption. A newly formed campaign...

The First Minister might be aware that, last week, my bill proposal to enshrine the right to food into Scots law received enough cross-party support to proceed and has now been lodged. I take the...

I welcome yesterday’s announcement that ScotRail will be brought into public ownership in order to provide stability and certainty for passengers. What are the consequences of the serial...

To ask the First Minister when universities and colleges across Scotland will be given sufficient information to allow them to plan their teaching schedules for the next academic year, given that...

I remind members about the social distancing measures that are in place in the chamber and across the campus. I encourage members to observe those measures, particularly when entering and exiting...

The next item of business is portfolio questions on economy, fair work and culture. I ask members for succinct questions and answers in order that we can get as many members in as possible.

1. To ask the Scottish Government whether the Clyde mission division has received any response from outwith the country to the call by the economy secretary for ideas “to make the river an...

2. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect jobs in the Highlands and Islands. (S5O-05131)

3. To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting adults with additional support needs in the West Scotland region into employment. (S5O-05132)

5. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Aggreko is to become another large-scale Scotland-based listed company that will lose its independence through a takeover....

6. To ask the Scottish Government how it will utilise its public sector procurement to ensure that companies that are in receipt of public sector contracts pay staff the real living wage and...

7. To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding managing the economic impacts of Brexit. (S5O-05136)

8. To ask the Scottish Government whether it has a Covid-19 economic recovery plan for the Highlands and Islands region. (S5O-05137)

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-24395, in the name of Ivan McKee, on the draft Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2021.

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-24396, in the name of Angela Constance, on a national mission to reduce drug deaths and harms.

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Lothian Buses stopping its services at 7.30 pm on 17 March in response to reported incidents of buses being attacked and staff endangered.

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-24364, in the name of Bill Kidd, on changes to private and hybrid bill procedures.

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-24391, also in the name of Bill Kidd, on changes in relation to revised accompanying documents for emergency bills.

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-24375, also in the name of Bill Kidd, on changes to financial scrutiny provisions.

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-24359, in the name of Bill Kidd, on the code of conduct—register of interests—gifts threshold.

There are nine questions tonight. The first question is, that motion S5M-24395, in the name of Ivan McKee, on the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2021, be agreed to. Motion agreed to,...