Image source, GABRIELLE FRANCOIS CASIN/SAVE THE CHILDREN

Back in March we reported changes to asylum rules that would reunite hundreds of child refugees with their families came a step closer after MPs gave their backing to the plans.

Proposed legislation which would enable people who arrived in Britain as a child to sponsor applications for close relatives to settle with them passed its first Commons hurdle.

Ministers say it could encourage people to attempt the risky journey to the UK.

But the SNP's Angus MacNeil said it was simply was the "right thing" to do.

The government has not given its backing to Mr MacNeil's private member's bill but it passed its second reading after Labour, Lib Dem and some Tory MPs spoke in favour of it, as well as the SNP.

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Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne welcomes and echoes much of what the cabinet secretary has said.

Ms Ballantyne says in the time this debate takes, 2,400 people will have fled their homes in the world.

She thanks the armed forces for the role they play in rescuing refugees, particularly the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines in the Mediterranean.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie asks if the Scottish Conservatives are supporting SNP MP Angus McNeil's Refugees Family Reunion Bill.

Ms Ballantyne replies her party will certainly look very carefullly at it.

She points out the UK government 24,000 family reunion visas granted in the last five years.

Green MSP Ross Greer asks Ms Ballantyne to reflect on the fact that roughly 2,400 children have been abandoned due to ending the commitment to the Dubs scheme early.

Ms Ballantyne replies she hears the point, but adds if we are bribing people here we have to be able to support them effectively.

According to a report in The Daily Record..., external

"A victim of modern slavery has thanked the people of his adopted home in Scotland for helping save him from deportation.

"Duc Nguyen was due to be put on a plane today and sent back to Vietnam but the Home Office cancelled at the 11th hour following a campaign to keep him in the UK.

"Speaking from an English detention centre he said: “I am so very happy and I want the people of Scotland to know how much I appreciate them for fighting for me.

"Scottish people have always been kind to me. Thank you from my heart.”

Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks about supporting refugees to work in Scotland.

Ms Constance points to investment in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), efforts to enhance the recognition of qualifications and peer-learning.

Poverty and destitution is far too prevalent among asylum seekers, states the cabinet secretary.

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie highlights the recent case of Duc Nguyen, who is expected to arrive back in Glasgow today.

Ms Constance offers her congratulations and calls for the "two-tier migration system" to be challenged.

The success of the Syrian resettlement programme demonstrates what can be achieved if properly resourced and focused on integration.

2,300 refugees have been resettled under the programme, she confirms.

Image source, Scottish Refugee Council

Ms Constance says one of the responses quoted in the New Scots engagement document is "we don't simply seek food and shelter, but a full life and a proper identity beyond the label of asylum seeker or refugee."

The minister states the repot highlights the importance of language.

She says Scotland is all the richer for refugees bringing their culture here.

The communities secretary points out refugees face barriers to work and these must be tackled.

She praises the Cup of Tea with a Refugee campaign, external.

Communities Secretary Angela Constance says it is important to remember those fleeing their homes and offer support to them while they seek asylum.

She commends individuals and organisations who have worked tireless to help those who have come to Scotland.

There is no quarter given to complacency as we consider what more can be done, says the cabinet secretary.

Ms Constance points to engagement with various stakeholders on the New Scots strategy, including 700 refugees and asylum seekers.

Image source, UN

The Scottish government will now lead a debate celebrating World Refugee Day.

The debate will focus on supporting people to settle in Scotland.

From the Scottish government:

Surplus tax receipts and carry forward of funding into 2018-19 was confirmed today as the Scottish government published the provisional cash outturn for 2017-18.

Set out against a backdrop of unprecedented change in Scotland’s fiscal landscape due to the Scotland Acts and the Fiscal Framework, which fundamentally changed the sources of funding that underpin Scotland’s spending and introduced significant new devolved financial powers, the figures show expenditure of £30.9 billion, against a fiscal budget of £31.4 billion.

Image source, PA

For the second year running, income from devolves taxes has increased in Scotland. The total provisional income from Land & Buildings Transactions Tax and Scottish Landfill Tax is £706 million, £50 million above initial budget forecasts and an increase of £73 million, or 12 per cent, from 2016-2017.

After taking into account the planned carry forward included within the 2018-19 budget approved by the Parliament, additional Social Security funding received from HM Treasury in 2017-18 in advance – where the spend is included in the 2018-19 budget - and additional devolved taxes income, a further £66 million will be carried forward to 2018-19. This represents just 0.2 per cent of the overall fiscal budget and will also be carried through the Scotland Reserve and will be available to support management of future budget volatility.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says the Scottish Fiscal Commission's £1.7bn downgrade must be causing the finance secretary some sleepless nights.

Mr Rennie asks: "How much is in the reserve?

Mr Mackay replies succinctly: "£192m unallocated."

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie says we need to stop viewing the annual outturn as a snapshot in isolation.

He asks what is being done on tax avoidance.

Mr Mackay agrees more must be done, saying there are plans in place to tackle the issue with the caveat that HMRC is relied upon for some of this.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP James Kelly says the "£453m underspend is nothing short of a scandal".

Mr Kelly argues this is a gross failure by Mr Mackay and adds it is totally unacceptable that while people are sleeping in doorways near this parliament, nearly £500m has gone unspent.

He calls for an apology to communities.

The finance secretary hits back by saying in terms of the underspend every penny is not lost to Scotland as it was with previous administrations.

Mr Mackay says in terms of homelessness there is no underspend and local government got a fair settlement.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says the UK deficit for 2017-18 was 1.9% of GDP, which he says is a testament to the success of the UK government's fiscal policy.

He says the Scottish government forecasts have been downgraded, leaving a "blackhole" in the current budget which will need to be filled in 2021-22.

While he welcomes plans to put cash into Scotland's reserves, Mr Fraser warns this will not be enough.

What additional steps will the cabinet secretary take, he asks.

Mr Mackay says the Scottish Fiscal Commission will revisit its forecasts as the budget approaches.

He points to efforts to stimulate the economy but also highlights several forecasters warning about the impact of Brexit.

On further measures, he says he will ensure there is prudent financial planning and consider the use of borrowing powers if necessary.

Image source, bbc

Mr Mackay explains all the figures being reported today are provisional.

The 2017-18 provisional outturn shows the government has prudently and competently managed Scotland's finances, he says.

Image source, Gettty Images/PA

Good question.

It's the net revenue expenditure figures for all the main services carried out by Scotland's local authorities.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says there is an overall cash variance of £453m.

Items already committed total £335m out of that £453m, he says.

After taking social security funding, the planned carry forward and tax receipt into account, there is a £66m underspend not committed to expenditure.

Mr Mackay says uncertainty around Brexit are hampering economic growth in Scotland.

He goes on to highlight a variety of forecasts, before pointing to planned investment in infrastructure to support the economy.

Image source, PA/BBC/Getty images

Ahhh the gremlins are vanquished.......here's Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, with pictures, updating the chamber on the provisional outturn 2017-18.

Image source, Shutterstock

IT gremlins appear to have stolen the video - but not the sound.

If you want to see Mr Mackay, head over to SPTV, external.

But stay with us for reportage........... and his dulcet tones.