Thank you. That concludes general questions. The next item of business is First Minister's questions.

And at question number one, I call Douglas Ross.

Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. This Parliament's Finance Committee called for updated costs of the SMP's controversial plans for a centralised care service to be given to them this week.

Humsa Yusuf's government have refused.

The last estimate for the centralised care service was £1.3 billion.

But after that figure came out, Audit Scotland said this.

It is likely that the overall cost of the measures will be

significantly above the amounts currently assessed. So will the First Minister tell us now,

how much is this really going to cost Scottish taxpayers?

First Minister.

First and foremost, let's not forget why, of course, we are introducing and have introduced

the National Care Service legislation.

It is to end that postcode lottery of care that we all accept exists right up and down

the country, that inconsistency of care that has existed.

We want to introduce a system that ensures that we put fair work principles at the

very heart of the National Care Service, that we put those who need care at the very heart

of a national care service.

What I would say to Douglas Ross is, of course, and I think opposition, quite rightly,

have asked for from the Scottish Government, is to ensure we engage with local authorities,

to ensure we engage with our trade union colleagues.

Sorry, just before we go any further, I would be grateful if members could treat one another

with courtesy and respect.

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