The First Minister has vowed to "save Scotland from Brexit".

Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs she will fight the Conservative's plans for a hard Brexit.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister said the UK would leave the single market and her government remains responsible for foreign affairs in "all parts of the United Kingdom".

At First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Sturgeon said: "I am determined to save Scotland from Brexit.

"It's not just the case that the Tories are running towards Brexit, they want to drag Scotland kicking and screaming over that Brexit cliff edge and I'm determined they are not going to get away with this."

The First Minister said the last thing "businesses need right now, whether they are in Scotland or in other parts of the UK, is to be ripped out of the world's biggest single market".

Sturgeon added: "That is the future they face because of a Conservative government's obsession with immigration, rather than putting the interests of the economy first.

"So we will continue to provide fair support through the business rates scheme to our business but we will also continue to argue that our businesses should continue to be free to trade within the European single market."

Ruth Davidson questioned Sturgeon on her government's plans to raise business rates.

The Scottish Conservative leader raised concerns from two firms who warn tax increases will hurt their businesses.

Speaking after First Minister's Questions, Davidson said: "Unemployment is up in Scotland, employment is down, and confidence in comparison to the rest of the UK is falling through the floor.

"Now we learn companies across the country, of varying sizes, are deeply concerned about the impact of rising rates and SNP tax grabs."

She added: "The Scottish Government is being warned that these changes will send firms to the wall and make Scotland the least competitive part of the UK to do business.

"Yet we heard nothing from Nicola Sturgeon about how she will help these organisations which are crucial to employment and their local economies.

"Her run-to subject is always Brexit, yet neither of the firms that spoke to us were citing that as a concern - they wanted Scottish Government support."