Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not provide immigration advice. Immigration advice is available from immigration advisers regulated by and under the supervision of the immigration advice regulator (OISC). A list of registered immigration advisors registered with the OISC on their website: http://home.oisc.gov.uk/adviser_finder/finder.aspx. Immigration guidance and support is available from Scottish Enterprise (since April 2013) through the TalentScotland project funded by the Scottish Government.

The UK Government has recently revised its position on EU funding guarantees to cover in full the payment of all EU funding contracts for SRDP projects that are entered into before the UK proposes to leave the EU. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has confirmed that these guarantees will be passed on in full to Scottish stakeholders to provide stability and certainty for the rural economy.

The UK Government’s position on EU Funding Guarantees demonstrates in the starkest possible terms that there are absolutely no guarantees or clarity on what will replace current European Union funding streams after the date that the UK proposes to leave the EU.

The most recent update on the estimated final cost of the refurbishment of the SFRS control room in Dundee was received in March 2016.

(a) – The estimated capital cost for the Dundee control room option, as outlined in the SFRS Board paper, Fire Control - Options Appraisal for Final Locations, published in January 2014, was £2.192m. This information is contained in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board papers which can be found on the SFRS website at www.firescotland.gov.uk

(b) – The estimated capital cost for the Dundee control room option, as outlined in the SFRS Board paper, Dundee Control, published in July 2015, was £1.96m. This information is contained in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board papers which can be found on the SFRS website at www.firescotland.gov.uk

Our vision for the future is an agriculture industry in Scotland that is innovative, profitable, sustainable and supporting economic growth. We will work closely with industry to develop the next steps to help realise that vision, and this will help inform our deliberations on what future support measures may be appropriate for the industry. The Scottish Government will negotiate with the UK Government to ensure that future support for agriculture and rural development is allocated on a fair and equitable basis across the UK.

The UK Government has recently revised its position on EU funding guarantees to cover in full the payment of all EU funding contracts for SRDP projects that are entered into before the UK proposes to leave the EU. The guarantee covers all payments for CAP Pillar 2 (SRDP) schemes, where LEADER sits, amongst others. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has confirmed that these guarantees will be passed on in full to Scottish stakeholders to provide stability and certainty for the rural economy.

The UK Government’s position on EU Funding Guarantees demonstrates in the starkest possible terms that there are absolutely no guarantees or clarity on what will replace current European Union funding streams after the date that the UK proposes to leave the EU.

Our discussions with the enterprise agencies, including Scottish Development International, have indicated that the majority of companies consider it too early to gauge the specific impact of Brexit on their business or decisions to invest. In the meantime, we are working closely with the enterprise agencies, as well as public, academic and industry partners to ensure there is a strong package of support for Scottish businesses and potential overseas investors. We also continue to engage directly with businesses following the EU referendum to listen to concerns, provide reassurance and reiterate that Scotland remains open for business.

The Scottish Government recognises that uncertainty has been created as a result of the EU referendum outcome, including on exports, and farm incomes where EU funding is an important factor. That is why my Ministerial colleagues and I have all pressed the UK Government on various fronts following the EU referendum on the issue of continuity of funding for the vitally important industries that rely on EU funds. We now have guarantees for CAP Pillar 1 until 2020, and for CAP Pillar 2 funding agreements that are entered into in the period between now and the point that the UK proposes to leave the EU. Derek Mackay, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution has confirmed that these guarantees are being passed on in full to Scottish stakeholders on EU funding.

Further to this, the Scottish Government has commissioned the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) to undertake economic modelling on the potential impact of different trade and farm payment scenarios on Scottish agriculture. I expect findings will be available early next year and will add to the existing evidence base that includes a number of published studies on the impact of Brexit on UK farming sectors.

The Scottish Government recognises that agriculture is one of the mainstays of Scotland's rural economy and that the CAP plays an important role in helping farmers stabilise their incomes.

Our vision for the future is an agriculture industry in Scotland that is innovative, profitable, sustainable and supporting economic growth. We will work closely with industry to develop the next steps to help realise that vision, and this will help inform our deliberations on what future support measures may be appropriate for the industry.

No. Should the UK Government take the decision not to opt in to Regulation (EU) 2016/974 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the UK's membership of Europol would cease from 1 May 2017. At that point Police Scotland would no longer be able to benefit from the significant support and resources available through Europol membership which could impact on ongoing live operations.

The Scottish Government have consistently lobbied the UK Government for a flexible approach to immigration across the UK.

With an ageing population and demand for skilled workers outstripping the local workforce in some sectors, our demographic and workforce needs are different to those in the rest of the UK. Migration is key to supporting sustainable population growth and any move to limit migration, whether from within or beyond the EU, has the potential to seriously harm our economy. Growth in the working age population plays a key role in underpinning sustainable economic growth and most of Scotland’s population growth comes from inward migration.

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.