The First Minister's Official Spokesman (FMOS) welcomed journalists to the briefing and ran through the day's key events.
A news release would issue shortly from the First Minister highlighting his visit to South Ayrshire today, and welcoming Scottish Power Renewables milestone in becoming the first developer in the UK to achieve 1GW of electricity production capacity from wind power.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture & External Affairs Fiona Hyslop is attending the JMC(E) in London. Agenda items include co-ordination, horizon scanning and the EU
budget review.
Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson will be making a statement on the Diabetes Survey that coincides with National Diabetes week.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment Richard Lochhead will welcome the UK move to declare freedom from bluetongue. A news release will issue
later today.
The Health Secretary is holding a meeting with the Chief Executive of Southern Cross this afternoon. Referring to Ms Sturgeon's comments on Real Radio this
morning, the FMOS said Ministers are seeking to reassure residents of Southern Cross and their families that we want to ensure continuity of care for all residents,
and the Scottish Government is taking all necessary steps to make sure that Southern Cross residents remain in their current care homes. An update would follow this
afternoon.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment & Sustainable Growth John Swinney will be making a jobs announcement in Edinburgh this afternoon at 1545 at the
Bank of New York Mellon Event, Blenheim Place, Edinburgh - a news release will issue later.
The FMOS informed the media that John Swinney was pushing for a meeting with Scottish Power to discuss the rise in energy bills.
Events for the rest of the week
The FMOS then ran through key events for the rest of the week.
Questions
Asked for the government's reaction following changes to the Scotland Bill, the First Minister's Special Adviser (FMSA) stated that a statement would be issued soon.
Asked about decision to pursue the man who stood trial alongside the Lockerbie bomber but was acquitted, the FMSA stated that this was a matter for the Crown
Office. FMOS added that it remains an open case and the Crown has said that it stands ready to pursue fresh lines of enquiry that become available.
Asked when the Prime Minister would be visiting Scotland, the FMOS replied that, as far as he knew, there was no confirmed date for this week.