Good morning. The first item of business is general questions. Short and succinct questions and responses are appreciated.

1. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission’s recommendation that no further new greyhound tracks be permitted in Scotland. (S6O-02087)

2. To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes are required to be built to meet the needs of rural communities in the Highlands and Islands. (S6O-02088)

3. To ask the Scottish Government how many general practitioner surgeries are not currently accepting new patients. (S6O-02089)

4. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address any poverty-related issues in schools. (S6O-02090)

5. To ask the Scottish Government, in the light of recent reported comments by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland regarding children and families with no recourse to...

6. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on investment in research and co-ordinated care services to support those living with long Covid. (S6O-02092)

7. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the learning for sustainability action plan in educational settings in the north-east. (S6O-02093)

The next item of business is First Minister’s question time. I call Douglas Ross.

1. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. [ Interruption .]

2. The new First Minister has lots to get to grips with, so it is only fair that I should start with something that he should already be across. There is a mental health crisis affecting children...

3. To ask the First Minister, in light of last week’s “Fiscal Sustainability Report” published by the Scottish Fiscal Commission, what the Scottish Government’s economic...

4. To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the potential impact of the anticipated 1 April rise in energy bills on household finances in Scotland. (S6F-01996)

5. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the poverty statistics published last week in the report, “Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland...

6. To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government will take to tackle the climate and nature emergencies. (S6F-01967)

The First Minister will recall his meeting with me and representatives of sportscotland and Cricket Scotland following the “Changing the Boundaries” report, which found institutional...

Last week, we heard shocking allegations that the University of Edinburgh discouraged two students from reporting sex attacks to the police, with one student reportedly being told that the...

In Aberdeen, the Scottish National Party has, for the second time, voted to permanently close six libraries in the city tomorrow. However, Aberdonians know that local government has a statutory...

I take this opportunity welcome to welcome the new First Minister to his seat. I know that he, like me, will have taken great joy in watching the Scotland men’s team triumph over Spain at...

I think that the breaking of a glass in the chamber earlier was not a good omen for the new First Minister. I recently met with three campaigners from Endometriosis South of Scotland. All spoke...

The First Minister will be aware that we have been waiting more than two years for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill to come back to the...

Good afternoon, colleagues. The first item of business this afternoon is Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body questions. I invite members who wish to ask a supplementary question to press their...

1. I refer members to my entry in the register of interests as a member of the GMB trade union. To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it will next meet with representatives from...

2. To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it has had in relation to access to translation services for cross-party groups. (S6O-02098)

3. To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on pay negotiations with trade unions representing Scottish Parliament staff. (S6O-02099)

4. To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on what preparations it has made for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme. (S6O-02028)

5. To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made in preparing for the operation of the deposit return scheme. (S6O-02061)

6. To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what steps it will take to create a more family-friendly environment. (S6O-02062)

The next item of business is consideration of motions S6M-08469 and S6M-08470, in the name of Humza Yousaf, on appointment of Scottish ministers and junior Scottish ministers. Members who wish to...

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to restore ferry services between Mallaig, Oban and Lochboisdale in South Uist, in light of the announcement that the services are to be...

I welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs to her new post. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Police Scotland call handlers used a fake system...

The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-08474, on suspension and variation of standing orders. I ask George Adam to move the motion on behalf of the...

I am minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 11.2.4 of standing orders, that decision time be brought forward to now. Motion moved, That, under Rule 11.2.4, Decision Time be brought...

There is one question to be put as a result of today’s business. The question is, that motion S6M-08474, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on suspension and...