Summary

  • The Economy Committee takes evidence on the draft budget focussing on fuel poverty

  • MSPs raises questions on working conditions at Amazon's Fife warehouse and the BMA's GP survey

  • Education Secretary John Swinney gives a ministerial statement on its Improvement Plan for Education

  • The government leads a debate welcoming international migrants in Scotland

  • SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor leads a debate entitled Walk This Way at Dunbeth Park

  1. It's vital that we never forget those who lost their lives in the Mediterranean - ministerpublished at 16:56 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    International Development Minister Alasdair Allan

    International Development Minister Alasdair Allan says International Migrants Day was established in 2000.

    Mr Allan says it is vital that we never forget those who lost their lives in the Mediterranean fleeing their country. 

  2. Tory MSP says Scotland is not different from the rest of the UK in its approach to immigrationpublished at 16:54 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Tory MSP Ross ThomsonImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Ross Thomson

    Mr Thomson says he is proud Aberdeen is playing a vital role in becoming a home to 100 Syrian refugees.

    The Tory MSP says Scotland is not different from the rest of the UK in its approach to immigration. 

  3. EU free movement is inherently unfair and inward lookingpublished at 16:54 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Scottish Conservative MSP Ross Thomson says the system currently means we have to turn away people who have vital skills.

    Welcome Scotland signImage source, Getty Images

    Mr Thomson says EU free movement is inherently unfair and inward looking. 

    The Tory MSP says the UK government has played a leading role in ensuring Syrian refugees are supported.

  4. Scottish FA to establish independent review into child abusepublished at 16:51 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

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  5. Tory MSP says people voted to leave the EU for a fairer immigration systempublished at 16:49 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Conservative MSP Ross ThomsonImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Conservative MSP Ross Thomson

    Conservative MSP Ross Thomson says it is so important that the tragic loss of life of migrants is recognised as he says International Migrants Day will do.

    Mr Thomson says the Scottish government and Nicola Sturgeon has painted leave voters as "the other" and as anti-immigration.

    He says people voted to leave the EU for a fairer immigration system.

  6. We should challenge the right-wing media - Labour MSPpublished at 16:47 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Mr Sarwar says, for a country that is not slow to get involved in war, we should no be slow in assisting those affected by war.

    Anas Sarwar

    The Labour MSP says there is an ageing population and requirement for migrants to come to the country.

    He says there are challenges with migration such as expelling the myths that migrants are benefit scroungers.

    He says we should also challenge the right-wing media. 

  7. Labour MSP calls on Theresa May to guarantee the rights of EU citizens in the UKpublished at 16:46 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    GatwickImage source, Getty Images

    Mr Sarwar says Glasgow is a shiny example of a diverse community that is part of the one Glasgow approach.

    The Labour MSP points to Glasgow's support of refugees.

    He says every MSP should send a strong message to the UK government and Theresa May that we expect the rights of every EU citizen in the UK are guaranteed.

    Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks about support for UK citizens, many of whom are Scots, in the EU.

    Mr Sarwar says the rights of both EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU should be guaranteed.

  8. 'We all have a personal story about how migration has affected our lives' - Labour MSPpublished at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Anas Sarwar MSP

    In closing for Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar MSP, says we all have personal stories about how a migrant or migration has affected our lives.

    Mr Sarwar says he is a third generation migrant with his grandfather coming to the UK and eventually settling in Lossiemouth and making Scotland his home. 

  9. Support for DEC Yemen Crisis Appealpublished at 16:41 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

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  10. Green MSP raises the question of who makes the bombs dropped on Yemenpublished at 16:29 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

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  11. DEC thank the Scottish government for Yemen Crisis donationpublished at 16:26 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

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  12. NHS organ donation highlightedpublished at 16:24 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

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  13. Migrants are more likely to be in work than most people in Scotland - SNP MSPpublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    SNP MSP Tom Arthur says 2016 has been the year of post-truth politics. 

    SNP MSP Tom Arthur

    Mr Arthur asks how often we hear the concrete case for migration.

    He says it is not generally heard in the media.

    He says migrants are more likely to be in work than most people in Scotland. 

  14. Nicola Sturgeon calls for EU citizens guaranteepublished at 16:16 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Ms Sturgeon Ms Sturgeon hosted the question and answer session with EU nationals after a Scottish cabinet meeting in EdinburghImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Ms Sturgeon hosted the question and answer session with EU nationals after a Scottish cabinet meeting in Edinburgh

    Nicola Sturgeon called on the UK government to guarantee EU nationals living in the UK can remain after Brexit, on 17 August 2016.

    Scotland's first minister made her plea as she hosted a question and answer session with hundreds of EU nationals.

    Many were concerned about whether they would have the right to live and work in Scotland when the UK leaves the EU.

    Ms Sturgeon said it was "disgraceful" that the UK had not guaranteed the right of EU nationals to remain.

    And while she believed it was "unthinkable" people from EU countries would be asked to leave, she called on Prime Minister Theresa May to "do the humane thing" by ending the uncertainty facing three million people, including about 173,000 in Scotland.

  15. Brexit: May says Tusk letter justifies expat stancepublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    UK Prime Minister Theresa MayImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    UK Prime Minister Theresa May

    Britons living around Europe would have been left "high and dry" if the rights of EU citizens to stay in the UK had been guaranteed, the PM has said.

    Theresa May said EU leaders' remarks showed it was "absolutely right" for the UK not to have acted unilaterally.

    European Council president Donald Tusk says Article 50 must come before any negotiationsImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    European Council president Donald Tusk says Article 50 must come before any negotiations

    EU Council president Donald Tusk has said there can be no "reciprocal" deal on expats until formal talks begin.

    He was responding to criticism from Tory politicians who accused EU figures of "standing in the way" of a deal.

    Replying to a question in the Commons from Conservative MP Peter Lilley, Mrs May said she hoped the issue would be examined early during the Brexit negotiations, which cannot begin until she has triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

  16. Lib Dem MSP calls for guarantee for EU citizens resident in the UKpublished at 16:06 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says occasionally some people get very exercised by a very small number of people coming to the UK, whereas there can be mass migration in other parts of the world.

    Mr Scott says the UN has highlighted the total meltdown of humanity in Aleppo and there will be many more people lost in the Mediterranean in the next year.

    Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott

    The Lib Dem MSP says the Fresh Talent was a good programme.

    He says you have to take the immigration issue head on and explain the reality of the situation across the world, where the enormous challenge of coping with people fleeing war must be highlighted.

    Mr Scott calls for EU citizens in Scotland and the UK to have their position guaranteed and calls on Theresa May to do just that.

  17. Background: Scotland's population swelled by migrationpublished at 16:04 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Loads of folk in GlasgowImage source, Thinkstock
    Image caption,

    Most of the population increase on last year is down to migration from other parts of the UK

    Scotland's population was at its highest level last year, according to official figures.

    The National Records of Scotland (NRS) said the estimated population of Scotland, external on 30 June 2015 was 5,373,000.

    The increase on 2014 was mainly down to migration, with 85,000 people coming to Scotland and 57,000 leaving.

    There were 55,098 births registered - 2.9% fewer than the year before - and 57,579 deaths. The net increase in population is about 25,000.

  18. 'Atrocious living conditions' has been provided for refugees in Glasgowpublished at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer says Scotland has been a welcoming home to those who come here.

    Mr Greer says Scotland is leading the rest of the UK in accepting Syrian refugees. 

    Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer

    The Scottish Greens MSP says there is still hate crime and bigotry in the country which must be remembered and eradicated.

    He says "atrocious living conditions" has been provided for refugees in Glasgow.

    Mr Greer says he'd like the Scottish government to try and get the powers devolved which would make them responsible for the housing provided to those seeking refuge in Scotland.

  19. United Nations (UN) International Migrants Daypublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    The United Nations (UN) International Migrants Day is annually held on December 18 to recognize the efforts, contributions, and rights of migrants worldwide.

    That's this coming Sunday.

    International Migrants Day recognizes the efforts, contributions and rights of migrants worldwide.

    MigrantsImage source, AP/BBC/AFP
    Image caption,

    International Migrants day marks the contribution, but also the rights of migrants, a time of a migrant crisis

    Each year the UN invites governments, organizations, and individuals to observe International Migrants Day by distributing information on the human rights and migrants’ fundamental freedoms. 

    People are also invited to share their experiences and contribute to designing action plans to ensure their protection. 

  20. 'We are involved in this conflict, we are bombing Syrians' - Labour MSPpublished at 15:47 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2016

    Scottish Labour MSP Pauline McNeill says the press have a lot to answer for and we must combat some of the myths around immigration.

    Scottish Labour MSP Pauline McNeill

    Ms McNeill says she is fully behind the government motion.

    The Labour MSP says the Syrian conflict is possibly the "most complex of our time".

    "We are involved in this conflict, we are bombing Syrians, we have to take some moral responsibility for the consequences," she says.