General questions. Our next item of business is First Minister's questions.

I call Russell Finley. Question number one.

Thank you, President. The safety net of social security is something that we all value.

But Scotland's towering benefits bill stands at around £7 billion and is due to reach £10 billion almost by the end of the decade.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, benefit spending is out of control.

We know that it is unfair, unaffordable and unsustainable.

Does John Swinney agree or does he think that the SNP's benefit system

is fair, affordable and sustainable?

I think the approach the Scottish Government takes to benefits is based on the principles

of fairness and dignity

which this Parliament legislated for. I am proud to associate my Government with those values

that are enshrined in statute. I believe the benefits system in Scotland is sustainable and

that is demonstrated by the ability of this Government to ensure

effective budget planning to meet all of these commitments. And I make no apology whatsoever

for being determined to protect the vulnerable in our society and to lift children out of poverty.

That's what my government is all about.

Russell Finley. He's in a state of denial. It's not sustainable. Just this morning, the Scottish

fiscal commission told the Parliament the only way to plug the benefits gap is either through

higher taxes or from cutting money from public services.

John Swinney can't admit it, but the SMP's benefit system is broken.

And it's deeply concerning that in some cases it acts as a deterrent to work.

The government's own review of the Scottish Child Payment revealed that some parents turned down extra work or stopped working altogether.

...