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Holyrood committee conveners quiz Nicola Sturgeon Holyrood committee conveners quiz Nicola Sturgeon
(about 1 hour later)
The conveners of each of the Scottish Parliament's committees are questioning First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on her plans for government. The conveners of each of the Scottish Parliament's committees have questioned First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on her plans for government.
The SNP leader is appearing before a special session of the parliament conveners' group at Holyrood. The SNP leader appeared before a special session of the parliament conveners' group at Holyrood.
She is facing questions from the committee heads about her legislative programme for government. She took questions on topics including devolved social security benefits, health service reforms and Brexit.
Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame said the work of Holyrood's committees was increasingly important.Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame said the work of Holyrood's committees was increasingly important.
Ms Graham said: "With areas such as welfare and income tax now devolved to Holyrood, the role of committees in scrutinising the Scottish government has never been more important. This was the fourth such session of questions to a first minister by the conveners' group, and the first of the current parliamentary term.
"This session will enable us to question the First Minister on the entirety of her programme complementing the very detailed scrutiny which will take place in individual committees. Group leader Ms Graham said: "With areas such as welfare and income tax now devolved to Holyrood, the role of committees in scrutinising the Scottish government has never been more important."
"I think we can look forward to a lively and hopefully a very informative session." Asked about claims that devolution of benefits to Holyrood is being "delayed", the first minister dismissed this as "absolute, utter nonsense".
This will be the fourth such session of questions to a first minister by the conveners' group, although it will be the first of the current parliamentary term. She said setting up a Scottish social security system was "hugely complex", with the top priority making sure that the changes are delivered properly - pledging that the mistakes of the Universal Credit rollout would not be repeated in Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon was also asked about reports Scotland could seek a Norway-style place in the European Economic Area after the UK leaves the European Union.
She said she wanted the UK as a whole to stay in the single market, but said "of course" models such as EEA membership were "being looked at".
Questioned by rural economy committee convener Edward Mountain on the issues surrounding common agricultural policy payments to farmers, Ms Sturgeon said she deeply regretted the problems around the CAP payments system and said her government was dedicated to resolving the issues.
However, she said there would be no further internal reviews of the issue.