BBC NEWS: "Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan asked a series of questions, including how many children remained in poverty, how many new homes would be built for the social rented sector and how much had been set aside for addressing the 'equal pay gap' between the wages of men and women, particularly in the public sector.

Mr Kerr said 'too many children are still in poverty' and the executive had to continue to work hard on addressing that.

With Mr Sheridan shaking his head in disapproval, Mr Kerr referred the question on new homes to the communities minister.

He added that the executive ran 'very forward-looking pay policies to ensure that does not occur' within the administration.

Mr Sheridan later said the minister had failed to answer all of the questions put to him."