Nicola Sturgeon press conference: RECAP as First Minister addresses nation
The First Minister will give updates on a host of matters with questions from the media.
We will bring you live updates throughout the press conference and throughout the day with the briefing set to begin at 11:30
Nicola Sturgeon briefing live updates
The Scotsman political correspondent also asks about assisted dying and the First Minister’s views on it.
It comes after The moderator of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly raised fears the legalisation of assisted dying could be seen as “an opportunity for cost-saving” in the health service.
Nicola Sturgeon says her views have changed on the difficult matter and that she will consider right up the voting in parliament all of these issues before she comes to a final view.
Alistair Grant asks if the First Minister will be issuing her tax returns for every year following a pledge from the SNP.
The First Minister says she will publish whatever is needed and adds that her “salary is her income” so not to get “excited” about what is in her tax returns.
The First Minister is asked on hiring teachers and what impact the SNP councils can bring in to ensure that this money is used to support education across Scotland.
The First Minister says that to the best of her knowledge there has been no response from the UK Government to Shona Robison.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government to the Secretary of State for Scotland regarding the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and Section 35 order.
The First Minister says that there is two reasons to challenge the Section 35 bill.
One she says is that the law was passed cross-party by the Scottish Parliament.
She outlines that the second reason is that there is a desire to see judicial evidence of when a Section 35 order can be used. She adds that there is public interest in knowing what follows a Section 35.
She adds that Section 35 is a “power that can be used on the whim” whenever they have a disagreement with the Scottish Parliament.
Nicola Sturgeon is asked on the issue of her tax returns and whether or not she has published her tax returns.
She says that she will publish her tax return at the end of the tax year.
The First Minister was asked after NadhimZahawi was in the spotlight amid claims he avoided tax using an offshore company registered in Gibraltar to hold shares in YouGov, allegations he denies.
The First Minister reiterates that she does not condone the messages displayed on placards at a trans rights rally on Saturday.
Nicola Sturgeon is also quizzed on the upkeep of housing in Edinburgh
The First Minister is asked on recruitment issues in healthcare, she says that the government is trying to recruit for the health and care service to the best of their ability.
She adds that recruitment across the UK has been exacerbated by Brexit.
Nicola Sturgeon is asked if it is appropriate for SNP politcians to attend trans right protests where offensive signs are on display. The First Minister says all politicians have an obligation to try and be part of an appropriate protest.
She adds that all have a responsibility to express themselves but in a way that is approriate.
Nicola Sturgeon says that these press conferences will be held occasionally to give the media to ask questions.
She adds that in as it is a general press conference there may be cases where she doesn’t have the details to answer the quesitons.
The First Minister outlines the format to journalists, and we are set to get underway.