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The UK government's aim of cutting net migration to the tens of thousands could cost Scotland's economy up to £10bn from 2040, according to the Scottish government.

The target was set by David Cameron in 2010, but has never been met.

Annual net migration to the UK is currently 230,000.

Scotland's external affairs secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said a dramatic reduction in that number would be "catastrophic" for Scotland.

But the UK government insisted it would put in place an immigration system that works in the best interests of the whole of the UK - including Scotland - after the country leaves the EU.

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Ms Hyslop unveiled a Scottish government paper last month that set out a range of scenarios for future migration, including the UK government's objective of cutting it to the tens of thousands.

The paper suggested that even if the UK government only reduces migration as a result of the end of freedom of movement for EU workers, Scotland's economic growth would be £5bn a year lower from 2040 - 4.5% lower than it would have been otherwise.

It said this would compare to a UK-wide fall of only 3.7%, which it said demonstrated Scotland's greater reliance on migration.

Read more here.

The contribution of migrants cannot just be reduced to the economics, begins Green MSP Ross Greer.

He points to the high number of EU research staff or workers in the creative industries in Scotland.

Mr Greer accuses the UK government of creating "an inhumane system in pursuit of statistical goals".

The Green MSP argues the system of deportation is undermining efforts to tackle modern day slavery and trafficking.

There are actions the Scottish government and parliament can take now to make Scotland more welcoming, he argues, such as extending the voting franchise to cover all migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.

He concludes with a call for Scotland to be given the powers over migration to allow it to create a system to meet its needs.

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Any moves by the UK government to limit immigration could "seriously harm" Scotland's economy, a Holyrood minister has warned.

International development minister Alasdair Allan claimed Brexit will cause "immeasurable harm" to Scotland.

He said further damage could be inflicted by limiting the number of people who can come to the UK.

The UK government said the immigration system takes Scotland's needs into account.

The Scottish government has vowed to oppose any changes to the rules which create barriers for businesses by preventing them from taking on the staff they need.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says Brexit will have huge implications, particularly on the labour market.

We are a more rapidly ageing population than elsewhere in the UK, she says.

Therefore, Ms Baillie adds, Scotland is more reliant in migration to meet the population growth target.

We simply cannot afford to lose EU labour, the Labour MSP argues, noting the agriculture and hospitality sectors will be heavily impacted.

Turning to universities, she warns that Brexit risks losing talented academic staff.

On the NHS, Ms Baillie highlights the number of doctors already considering leaving Scotland.

"We need to deliver practical action with a degree more urgency."

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SNP MSP Mairi Gougeon says: "Scotland needs inward migration, it's just a simple as that."

Ms Gougeon joins other MSPs in highlighting our ageing population and pressing demographic needs.

She echoes Fiona Hyslop's call for a differentiated system for Scotland.

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Labour MSP Claire Baker says it would be positive if the parliament could reach a consensus on the issue of migration and how to solve the issues around it.

Ms Baker says: "If we do nothing we are going to face significant challenges in terms of maintaining let along growing our population."

She says the workforce is increasingly ageing, as highlighted by Audit Scotland.

"Whatever migration system we decide on we must continue efftorts to attract people to come here."

She says we must recognise the benefits of people coming here to work and settling down with their families.

"Immigration enriches our lives", begins Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie.

However, this view is not shared by the majority of the Conservative party he suggests.

While welcoming Jackson Carlaw's speech, Mr Rennie argues he is in the minority and urges him to make the case to his colleagues.

"Immigrants are not a burden, they are an asset to the country."

The economy will not grow if we cannot get workers to come to Scotland, Mr Rennie warns.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader says the Brexit vote not only repels people from the EU, but it also send the message to others around the world that the UK is not welcoming.

Image source, Reuters

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives questioned the government's goal of reducing net migration below 100,000 in August last year.

In the Daily Telegraph, external, Ruth Davidson said "we have to ask whether the target continues to be the right one".

"The time for easy slogans is over," she added.

Ms Davidson also called for students to be taken out of net migration figures, in contrast to Theresa May's insistence they should be included.

Read more here.

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Someone's phone is on vibrate, but Mr Carlaw continues with his speech regardless.

Ms Hyslop intervenes saying the Scottish government is asking for a tailormade system.

The Tory MSP says there must be UK wide migration system and says there is public and business concern about a unique Scottish system.

Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw says he will aim to bust myths around migration and its impact of the country.

There is a strong, powerful argument in favour of migration and we are on its side, Mr Carlaw says.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie asks if he had made this case to his colleagues in the UK government.

Jackson Carlaw says yes, "vociferously".

Why do people leave Scotland and why do a small percentage of people choose to come to Scotland, Jackson Carlaw asks.

It is not a result of Brexit as is predates this, he argues.

Ms Hyslop expresses concern that the UK government may use to a "narrow" sector-based approach to migration which will not work for Scotland.

Employers are crying out for flexibility for recruitment, she says.

She calls for all parties to work together to create an evidence-based approach to migration, pointing to other countries which have differentiated systems.

"We believe people who call Scotland their home are vital to us", the cabinet secretary says.

Image source, Scottish government

Ms Hyslop says the government document, Scotland’s Population Needs and Migration Policy: Discussion Paper on Evidence, Policy and Powers for the Scottish Parliament, external, has been extensively researched.

This paper argues that migration provides significant benefit to Scotland's demography, economy and society, and presented evidence to support that.

It says what Scotland needs from policy and systems on migration is different from the rest of the UK.

These differences therefore require a different policy response in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK it concludes

The external affairs secretary says the consensus on migration is growing and she says Scotland depends on growing inward migration.

She says UK policy on migration does not work for Scotland.

External Affairs Fiona Hyslop says growing the population of working age people is vital to the economy.

Projections to Scotland's population suggest there will be more deaths than births over the next 25 years, while the proportion of people aged 75+ will grow rapidly, she says.

All of the projected increase in Scotland's population is due to net inward migration, explains the cabinet secretary.

This means migration in necessary in order to maintain public services, Ms Hyslop argues.

Efforts in skills and innovation will help the economy, but it is not enough given the population challenges, she states.

Calls are made for powers to be devolved to allow the Scottish government to allow it to build a distinct migration system.

Fiona Hyslop notes there is cross-party agreement on the need for a differentiated model.

Image source, SAMRYLEY

Last February Holyrood's Europe Committee called for Scotland to be allowed its own separate immigration deal after Brexit.

The committee, which includes representatives of all Holyrood's parties, said there were "acute" risks for EU migrants living in Scotland and called for a "differentiated" solution.

The call follows a similar one made by a cross-party group of Westminster MPs.

The UK government has pledged to discuss the devolution of additional powers as the country leaves the EU.

But ministers had previously said they were prioritising an immigration deal that worked for the whole of the UK over any local visa arrangements.

The Scottish Parliament's culture, tourism, Europe and external relations committee has spent most of the parliamentary term so far focused on Brexit, and has already produced one report summarising views, externalput forward.

Read more here.