As-it-happened: First Minister's Questions on Thursday, 19 January

Hello and welcome to our live page coverage of First Ministers's Questions. Alex Salmond is expected to get to his feet at 12 noon.

Ministers are answering general questions from backbenchers, ahead of Mr Salmond at FMQs.

Questions covering the referendum - Labour MSP Sarah Boyack asks will there be a date announced for the referendum when a statement to the parliament on the Scottish government's consultation is made next week.

Ms Boyack is informed that details of the consultation referendum will be revealed on Wednesday, 25 January. There is no indication that an exact date will be revealed.

The UK government has revealed that it will hold a public consultation into the Scottish referendum, running into March. The Scottish government will reveal details of its consultation next Wednesday. Mr Salmond has already said his preferred date for the poll should be autumn 2014. Read more on the issue

First Minister Alex Salmond says he's opening the HQ of financial services form FNZ in Edinburgh later - another example, he says, of global companies wanting to do business in Scotland

Labour's Johann Lamont says she was shocked to learn that 200 Scots lose their jobs every day. She details unemployment for young people, the long term jobless and women out of work. What will Mr Salmond do to amend this, she asks.

"This is not a game, we can trade figures, what we need to do is confront them", says Ms Lamont. If this is the FM's high priority, it is not working she adds. Will he [Mr Salmond] stand by his summer statement, she asks.

FM says Scotland doesn't have the ability to increase demand in the Scots economy, which lies with Westminster - he says he's been pressing the issue with the UK government along with the leaders of the other devolved governments

FM says the SNP's policy on boosting capital investment is in Labour's five-point economic plan, but he also accuses Labour of being in cahoots with the Tories on the economy

In sarcastic tone, Ms Lamont says that the FM's response "will be a great comfort to the 200 people every day who have lost their jobs". He should take this matter seriously, she adds. Will the FM give an assurance that extra money be spent tackling unemployment and giving young people a future, Ms Lamont asks.

FM says Johann Lamont is sounding like her predecessor, Iain Gray, saying his pursuit of the issue at FMQs got him nowhere. Mr Salmond says Scotland "needs investment in the economy now" and again calls on the UK government for a change of course on economic policy

"I am not playing a game", says Ms Lamont. She repeats the "200 Scots a day" point. She calls his response "pathetic". She says we now have an "uncaring PM" and now an "ultra complacent FM". The insults continue - she says the FM is from the "Fred Goodwin" [the former boss of beleagured bank RBS] school of thinking.

FM responds to Johann Lamont's points by attacking her "apolitical script, written by Paul Sinclair" (new Labour adviser and former journalist). Mr Salmond goes on to say the SNP government is doing its bit, with the powers it has, to aid economic recovery.

Ruth Davidson, Tory leader, asks when the FM will meet the PM.

In response to standard question from Ruth Davidson on meeting David Cameron, FM says "it's not been through lack of trying".

Ms Davidson says she is sure the FM is looking forward to meeting the PM. She goes on to the independence issue - how many times has the Scottish government discussed is membership of the EU with EU commissioners.

Is Ruth Davidson's jacket today an Annabel Goldie tribute number?

FM was referring to claims that the PM has refused to meet him on the referendum on several occasions - Mr Cameron says he's happy to meet Mr Salmond, but must first go through Scottish Secretary Michael Moore

"That was a long way of giving me no specifics at all on a very simple question," Ms Davidson says. She presses, who has the government been in contact with and what reponses has the government been given? She goes on to list those who say there would not be automatic entry to the EU. They say, she has claimed, that Scotland would have to re-apply to join the EU. "Will the FM publish evidence to support his claim, because the Scottish people deserve an answer to the question", Ms Davidson asks.

FM says there's a range of expert opinion that Scotland is a part of the EU, and since it did not plan to expel member states, talks on membership of an independent Scotland would be conducted from within

Sandra White raises the issue of proposed cuts at BBC Scotland - the axing of Newsweek and Scotland at 10 on Radio Scotland. Does the FM share my concerns about this, she asks.

FM says in response to SNP's Sandra White on BBC Scotland job reductions that cuts are concerning during a significant time for Scotland, adding that the UK government imposed a "damaging" licence fee settlement.

Mark MacDonald, SNP MSP, on AIB administration.

Willie Rennie, Lib Dem leader - the government claim that national control of police service would save \u00a3200m a year. Is that still the case, he presses.

In response to Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie FM says the government has set out savings from a national police service in a number of situations, but doesn't state the actual figure

Willie Rennie questions the savings claim. He asserts that the FM has not even read his own report on the issue. All the headline figures are not attributable to the changes, claims Mr Rennie.

FM says it's right to ask the people who do the job (ie the police) to formulate plans for the future

FM has a dig at former deputy FM and Lib Dem Lord Wallace, who now "sits in an unelected house"

Mr Rennie says as "usual when he loses the argument he resorts to cheap shots". He adds that the FM would do better and look at the loss of police connectivity in local communities.

Backbencher Colin Beattie asks FM about progress being made on international business connections.

Mr Beattie asks if the Westminster government should support attracting businesses to Scotland, instead of focusing on the scaremongering of an independent Scotland.

Onto the recurring theme of business now, and FM says he's been working to encourage international firms to do business in Scotland. This argument comes on the face of opposition concern that a decision by the SNP government not to hold the independence referendum now is causing economic uncertainty

Neil Findlay aks whether the Scottish government supports the NUS campaign.

FM says the government supports the National Union of Students campaign against cuts, which is why, he says funding has been put in place to maintain college places

Mr Findlay is worried about education cuts. He asks, will the FM show leadership at a time of high unemployment when it will be impossible to maintain student numbers at the same time as facing education cuts.

FM moves to personal attack on Labour's Neil Findlay saying that, as a councillor, he tried to block opportunities for young people in the Lothians.

Murdo Fraser, Tory MSP, aks what impact the sale of Wiseman Dairies will have on the Scottish economy.

Mr Fraser said he was surprised at Mr Salmond being so "sanguine" with the loss of yet another Scottish company. He quotes FM in opposition in which he lamented the loss of Scottish HQs. Why does he say one thing in opposition and another thing in government, asks Mr Fraser.

FM says it's a shame the Tories didn't take up Mr Fraser's calls for more economic powers for Holyrood

Well, that's it for another FMQs. Join us next Wednesday when we will be delivering live coverage of First Minister Alex Salmond's statement on the independence referendum. In the meantime keep up to date with all things political by logging on to our Scottish Politics website and if you want to keep across what is happening in the parliament go to our Democracy Live website.