Summary

  • The economy committee undertakes pre-budget scrutiny with the enterprise agencies

  • Topical questions cover ScotRail reliability and flu vaccines

  • An update on the mental health strategy will be delivered

  • MSPs debate Scotland’s role in the development of future UK trade arrangements

  • The member's debate marks Eye Health Week

  1. Postpublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

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  2. Background: Donald Tusk: Theresa May's Brexit trade plan won't workpublished at 16:03 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Media caption,

    Donald Tusk: UK's Chequers Brexit plan 'won't work'

    Theresa May's proposed new economic partnership with the EU "will not work", the head of the European Council has said.

    Donald Tusk said the plans risked undermining the EU's single market.

    He was speaking at the end of an EU summit in Salzburg where leaders of the 27 remaining member states discussed Brexit.

    Mrs May said her proposals were the "only serious credible" way to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland.

  3. Background: Pound falls after May's Brexit statementpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    PoundImage source, Getty Images

    The pound's fall against the dollar and the euro has deepened following Theresa May's assertion after an EU summit that "no deal is better than a bad deal".

    Sterling was already trading lower after EU leaders warned the UK must make compromises on trade and the Irish border to secure a Brexit trade deal.

    After the Prime Minister said the UK and EU were at an "impasse" the pound fell further.

    The pound dropped from 1% to 1.5% lower against the dollar to $1.3068.

    It has recently started to edge back up, however.

  4. Lib Dem MSP criticises lack of claritypublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott
    Image caption,

    Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott

    Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott expresses concern that we are facing a binary choice between "economic nationalism" and free trade, pointing to today's comments from President Trump.

    If there is a no-deal Brexit, British truck drivers will no longer have automatic access to European countries which will impact the vast majority of trucks which leave the UK, he states.

    "You have not a scooby-doo as to what'll happen next March" if you are exporting fish from Scotland, he states.

    He urges the government to look more into dispute resolution, pointing to international federalist structures as examples.

    The Lib Dem MSP concludes by suggesting the job of the Scottish government now is to ensure Scottish businesses have as much clarity as is possible to have.

  5. Brexit: What is the 'no deal' WTO option?published at 15:42 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    ShipImage source, Getty Images

    Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says the chances of a "no deal" Brexit are "increasing by the day". The International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, has been quoted as saying the chances of no deal are "60-40". And the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, says they are "uncomfortably high."

    There seems to be a pattern developing here.

    Recent debate about no deal - which would mean the UK leaving the European Union (EU) next year without any withdrawal agreement - has focused on the fact that the UK would automatically fall back on World Trade Organization (WTO) trade rules. Those rules would apply automatically to UK trade with the EU and other countries with which the EU has free-trade deals.

    So what would WTO rules mean in practice?

    Read more here.

  6. There must be an accountable and democratic means of creating trade policypublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick HarvieImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie

    Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie accepts there are some who believe in the free trade mantra.

    Mr Harvie says he would like a trade policy that represents our responsibilities and recognises the mutal interests of people around the world.

    He adds the importance of trade justice must be recognised.

    The Scottish Green Party co-convener argues Adam Tomkins will make the case trade policy is a reserved matter, but that is not good enough and devolved administrations must be involved.

    There must be an accountable and democratic means of creating trade policy, concludes Mr Harvie.

  7. 'Essential and right' that devolved administrations are consultedpublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Ms Baillie

    Ms Baillie says trade arrangements will directly impact on areas of devolved competence, such as food standards.

    It is "essential and right" the devolved administrations are consulted and consent is sought, she argues.

    We see sweeping Henry VIII powers from the UK government, the Labour MSP states.

    But I do not expect the Scottish government to have a right of veto either, she adds.

    Unless there formal consultation is included in the Trade Bill, we will not provide consent to it Ms Baillie concludes.

  8. Background: Nicola Sturgeon calls for Brexit to be delayedpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Media caption,

    Sturgeon's worry about 'blind brexit'

    Nicola Sturgeon has called for Brexit to be delayed beyond next March if the UK has not secured a detailed agreement with the EU by then.

    Scotland's first minister told the BBC it would be "absolutely reckless" to leave without knowing what will replace the country's existing relationship.

    She urged the other opposition parties to back a delay if the UK faces a choice between "no deal and no detail".

    Prime Minister Theresa May has already said delay is "not an option".

    Negotiations over the terms of the UK's exit and future relations are at a critical stage, with about six months to go before the UK is scheduled to leave on 29 March.

  9. 'The only word to describe current Brexit negotiations is shambolic'published at 15:28 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Labour MSP Jackie BaillieImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Jackie Baillie

    Labour MSP Jackie Baillie begins: "The only word to describe current Brexit negotiations is shambolic."

    The Labour MSP says with six months to go it does not look like it's going to get any better.

    Deputy Presiding Offiicer Linda Fabiani intervenes to say: "Will you please stop muttering Mr Fraser?"

    Ms Baillie retorts: "I suspect his muttering is better than his speech."

  10. UK government will take needs of devolved administrations into account says Tory MSPpublished at 15:25 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Mr Tomkins

    The SNP are demanding a series of five vetoes on any trade deal, the Tory MSP asserts.

    This goes beyond international best practice he states, noting that Canada's provinces are consulted but nothing is "required".

    He highlights the UK government's intention to take the concerns of the Scottish government into account when shaping trade policy.

    That is exactly what international best practice requires, Mr Tomkins concludes.

  11. Background: UK minister assures MSPs over post-Brexit trade dealspublished at 15:21 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Protesters highlighted the issue of food standards in trade deals outside Holyrood while ministers discussed them insideImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Protesters highlighted the issue of food standards in trade deals outside Holyrood while ministers discussed them inside

    Earlier this month the UK government offered MSPs assurances that post-Brexit trade deals will not put food standards and protections for the NHS at risk.

    MPs are working on a Trade Bill to set out how the UK will do business around the world after leaving the EU in 2019.

    UK Trade Minister George Hollingbery told MSPs that standards would not be compromised to secure free trade deals.

    But Scottish Brexit Secretary Mike Russell said leaving would "immensely weaken" the UK's position in talks.

    Read more here.

  12. SNP 'taking a wrecking all to the Scotland Act' says Tory MSPpublished at 15:18 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Tory MSP Adam TomkinsImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Adam Tomkins

    Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says there are members of this parliament who do not believe in growth or free trade.

    Ivan McKee asks why if Mr Tomkins is supportive of the biggest backward step in terms of free trade, which he says is Brexit.

    Mr Tomkins insists Brexit delivers the opportunity for Scotland and the UK as a whole to trade with the rest of the world.

    He says issues that are reserved must be respected and points out Scottish MPs serve at Westminster.

    The Tory MSP warns the SNP do not respect the boundaries of devolved competence at all.

    In fact the Scottish government is taking a "wrecking ball to the Scotland Act", he says.

    Tory MSP Adam TomkinsImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Adam Tomkins

  13. Scottish government backs inter-governmental committee on tradepublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Decision-making processes must respect and reflect the voices of all four nations of the UK, Mr McKee insists.

    An inter-governmental committee would be in everyone's interest, ensuring a full understanding of domestic issues and establishing a consensus across the UK to assure potential trade partners, the trade minister concludes.

  14. Existing arrangements on trade failed to keep pace with constitutional shiftspublished at 15:09 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Mr McKee

    Mr McKee points to efforts to boost exports and attract inward investment, saying these are clearly working.

    Tory MSP Murdo Fraser asks if devolved administrations should have a right of veto over trade policy.

    "The short answer is no," replies the minister.

    Brexit is not our choice but we are working with businesses to ensure growth, he explains.

    Mr McKee says existing arrangements have failed to keep pace with constitutional developments in the UK and he calls for all parliaments to have a greater voice in future trade deals.

    Green MSP Patrick Harvie suggests this parliament and other devolved jurisdictions should have the ultimate say on whether trade agreements constrain devolved competencies.

    The minister agrees.

  15. Postpublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

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  16. 'Scotland must have a voice in future trade arrangments'published at 15:04 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Trade Minister Ivan McKeeImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Trade Minister Ivan McKee

    Trade Minister Ivan McKee insists Scotland must have a voice in future trade arrangements to address the fears of businesses across Scotland about Brexit.

    Mr McKee insists Scotland's voice must be guaranteed and he says his government will do everything it can to ensure we stay in the single market and the customs union.

    He say the "UK government's approach is chaotic and irresponsible".

    The minister highlights Scottish government preparation for a no-deal Brexit.

  17. Background: Scotland 'needs' guaranteed trade rolepublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Mr Russell said Scotland ought to be protected from any negative implications of future trade dealsImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Mr Russell said Scotland ought to be protected from any negative implications of future trade deals

    Scotland should have a guaranteed role in future UK trade talks, the Scottish government has said.

    It has published a discussion paper which argues the current arrangements are in need of "an urgent overhaul".

    Scotland's role in the development of future UK trade arrangements, external aims to encourage a wide ranging discussion about the best way to protect and enhance the interests of Scotland in the development of future trade deals

    Brexit Secretary Michael Russell said Scotland must be protected whatever form of Brexit emerges.

    The UK government said it would work with devolved administrations on an approach to trade negotiations that delivers for the UK as a whole.

    Read more here.

  18. Post-Brexit trade arrangements debatepublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    Purse full of money and EU and Union Jack flagsImage source, Getty Images

    The Scottish government will now lead a debate on Scotland's role in the development of future trade arrangements.

    MotionImage source, SP
  19. Background: New £5m taskforce to improve child mental health carepublished at 14:55 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    New Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the current system was "completely unacceptable"Image source, bbc
    Image caption,

    New Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the current system was "completely unacceptable"

    The incoming health secretary set up a £5m taskforce to reshape and improve child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).

    Jeane Freeman condemned the existing system for referring children and young people for specialist mental health treatment.

    The announcement follows publication of a report on "rejected referrals".

    An audit was announced last year after NHS figures showed thousands of referrals were being rejected.

    Read more here.

  20. Background: Targets missed for child mental health care servicespublished at 14:54 British Summer Time 25 September 2018

    The performance in mental health care times is the worst since the target was set four years ago.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The performance in mental health care times is the worst since the target was set four years ago.

    A third of children referred to mental health services in Scotland are not being seen within the 18-week target.

    The performance statistics are the poorest since the government said four years ago that 90% of children should be seen within that time.

    They also indicate an increase in the number of children accessing child and adolescent mental health services.

    Minister for mental health, Clare Haughey said the figures were "completely unacceptable".

    The latest statistics were released just weeks after a task force was announced to tackle the issue.

    Read more here.