Chamber and committees

Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy.

The analysis shows that both Scottish GDP and tax revenues are likely to be lower in future years than if Scotland remained in the EU. This would reduce household prosperity and the funding available for the public services upon which households rely.

Analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risk of leaving the EU poses to Scottish households. Their report “Long-term Economic Implications of Brexit” estimates that after ten years, leaving the EU could result in average wages being £2,000 a year lower, and the number of jobs being 80,000 lower, than if Scotland remained in the EU.

The best way to protect all our interests, including those most important to rural areas, is by protecting Scotland’s place in Europe, maintaining membership of the single market and access to the free movement of labour.

The Scottish Government is currently exploring a range of options to protect Scotland's relationship and place in the EU with all its economic and social benefits and specific proposals will be published shortly.

No information has been published by the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe.

However, a number of reports have been published by the Scottish Government following the EU referendum, including:

• ‘Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland's Long Run Economic Performance’ (August 2016) http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00504615.pdf

• ‘The impacts of migrants and migration into Scotland’ (October 2016) http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/10/5974 and ‘Characteristics of migrants in Scotland: Analysis of the 2011 Census’ (October 2016) http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/10/6840

• ‘State of the Economy’ (October 2016) http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00508901.pdf

The Scottish Government website has a dedicated section on Europe, including information on the implications of the EU Referendum, which can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Europe. We have published information here, including the First Minister’s letter to EU citizens in Scotland and minutes of Standing Council meetings. We are currently considering how best to use this to share information about Scottish Government activity that is taking place in relation to Scotland’s place in Europe.

The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.

Parity of professional qualifications underpins the system of mutual recognition that currently facilitates professional mobility between EU Member States. The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2016 were laid by the Department of Health with my agreement on 28 October and will come into force on 18 November. This will transpose into UK law the updated health and social care provisions of the EU Directive on Recognition of Professional Qualifications, maintaining minimum standards for professional qualifications eligible for automatic recognition.

We are facing many uncertainties but, given the recent UK legislation, it is my understanding that the current mutual recognition arrangements will remain unchanged until the EU Directive is amended significantly or its provisions are specifically removed from the UK statute books. However, I recognise fully the understandable anxiety among doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, as well as other health and social care staff who have come to work here from other parts of the European Economic Area. To this end, I wrote on 13 September to Philip Dunne, Minister of State for Health, urging him to examine every possible option for maintaining an effective system for mutual recognition of professional qualifications going forward, whatever the outcome of negotiations.

The Scottish Government does not charter the Seatruck vessels MV Hildasay and MV Helliar – these vessels are chartered by Serco Northlink Ferries.

The Scottish Government does not charter the Seatruck vessels MV Hildasay and MV Helliar – these vessels are chartered by Serco Northlink Ferries. As such the cost of any possible termination of the time charter for the use of the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay on the Northern Isles Ferries Services are a matter for Seatruck and Serco Northlink Ferries.

The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government’s starting point is to protect our relationship with, and place in, the European Union. We are considering all possible options and we will work with others across the political divide to try to save the UK as a whole from the fate of a hard Brexit.

In light of the EU Referendum result and the potential impact this will have on free movement, we are strengthening our calls on the UK Government to deliver an immigration system that meets Scotland’s needs.

The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.