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When the UK voted to leave the EU, there was dramatic difference north of the border - with 62% of Scottish voters wanting to remain. Immigration was one of the big issues - so does the result indicate that Scots take a different view? Analysis by the ScotCen research team, written by Prof John Curtice and Ian Montagu, suggests the answer is more complicated.

Read the article here.

Green MSP Ross Greer says a downside of UK migration policy is the "trauma of family separation".

If that system is expanded to the UK, family separation will increase he states.

What work has the Scottish government done to help families who will suffer this, Mr Greer asks.

Mr Macpherson agrees family migration is a benefit of freedom of movement.

He says proposals for how to deal with and support families will be brought forward in due course.

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Labour MSP Claire Baker says it is difficult to ignore the negative impact the proposals from the UK government will have.

Ms Baker adds she believes there is an alternative to the devolution of immigration powers and asks if models like those used in Canada and Australia have been considered.

Mr Macpherson replies the Scottish government has put forward the possibility of devolution as a whole or as part of a framework within the UK.

The minister tells the chamber he is open minded about the way forward and accepts we can learn from Canada and Australia.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins welcomes the remarks about building consensus and cross-party discussion.

With Brexit we can end the period of uncontrolled EU migration into the UK and replace it with a a managed system he states.

I am not in favour of devolving migration powers to this parliament, but a managed system must accommodate any distinct Scottish needs he says.

Mr Tomkins wonders whether the Scottish tax system could form a new basis for a distinct system.

While welcoming some elements of this question, Mr Macpherson insists what is being proposed in UK immigration policy will be damaging to the economy.

What is being proposed by the UK government will not work for business so we need to be solutions focused, he states.

The minister insists the powers must come to Holyrood to reach these solutions as the white paper proposals will not work for Scotland.

Tens of thousands of low-skilled migrants could come to the UK to work for up to a year under proposed new post-Brexit immigration rules., external

The measure, which would last until 2025, is intended to protect parts of the economy reliant on overseas labour.

The idea was described as "shocking" by campaign group Migration Watch.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the new system would be based on UK needs rather than where migrants were from and show the UK "open for business".

Unveiling what he said would be the biggest shake-up of immigration policy for 40 years, Mr Javid said that while there was no "specific target" for reducing numbers coming into the UK, net migration would come down to "sustainable levels".

• Reality Check: How has immigration changed since the referendum?
• UK migration steady despite EU arrivals dip
• Call to scrap high-skilled migrants cap
• Read article here

Mr Macpherson says the expert advisory group report clearly sets out the impact of the UK government's immigration proposals and it sets a challenge to this parliament.

He calls for the building of common ground in creating a Scottish tailored policy approach, if control of migration is to remain with the UK.

The loss of the Fresh Talent Initiative and the loss of post-study visas are a result of UK policy, opposed by all paries at Holyrood, he says.

The minister calls for efforts to encourage those already in Scotland from the EU to stay.

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Proposed new post-Brexit immigration rules will "decimate" factory workforces, the UK's main manufacturing association has warned.

Plans to introduce a £30,000 minimum salary threshold would have "disastrous impacts", said Make UK.

Some 88% of skilled workers would not be receiving that level of pay, said the organisation.

Currently skilled roles such as engineering technicians are largely filled by EU nationals.

In December the government published a White Paper on immigration proposing a £30,000 salary requirement, which would apply to skilled migrants seeking five-year visas.

• White Paper sets out post-Brexit rules for migrants
• Brexit: How has immigration changed since the referendum?
• UK migration steady despite EU arrivals dip

The minister says the UK government's proposal for a salary threshold of £30,000 would be "completely unrealistic".

It will deprive key sectors and industries of people and skills, he warns.

Mr Macpherson also warns the threshold will have a disproportionate impact on women - who tend to earn less - and in rural communities, where sustaining the natural population is challenging.

It is important to build consensus on what Scotland needs, he adds.

Image source, REUTERS

Ben Macpherson points out free movement within the EU has helped Scotland's population avoid decline.

Mr Macpherson says the advisory group's report addresses economic impacts, demographic impacts and Scotland's population.

He says Scottish migration faces a 30-50% decline over the coming two decades.

The minister cites a slight increase in migration from outside the EU.

Net migration to the UK from countries outside the European Union has hit its highest level for 15 years, the Office for National Statistics says.

Migration Minister Ben Macpherson highlights the first report from the Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population, external published today.

An executive summary of that report is also available. , external

Mr Macpherson says the Scottish government believes Scotland belongs in the EU, adding the benefits are "abundantly clear when compared with the risks" of a no deal Brexit.

The right of free movement is one we enjoy just as much as other members of the EU and its loss is one of the biggest negative impacts of Brexit, he tells the chamber.

Image source, bbc

The UK government's immigration plans could reduce the number of workers in Scotland by up to 5% over the next two decades, it has been suggested.

An advisory group, chaired by Professor Christina Boswell of the University of Edinburgh, was asked to give independent expert advice to the Scottish government on migration, population growth and demographic change.

In its findings, the group indicated that under the proposals put forward in the UK government's White Paper, net migration to Scotland could be reduced by between one third and one half after 2020.

The plan would see a salary threshold introduced, under which people earning less than #30,000 would not be allowed admittance to the UK.

However, it is estimated that 63% of workers in Scotland currently earn below that level.

The group also suggested that the threshold would exclude a greater proportion of women than men, as well as younger people at the start of their careers.

Image source, Reuters

Europe and Migration Minister Ben Macpherson will now deliver a statement on post-Brexit UK immigration policy.

Image source, Getty Images

The first of two ministerial statements gets underway at 2pm and is entitled: UK immigration policy after leaving the EU: Impacts on Scotland’s economy, population and society.

The second statement will be on the delivery of devolved benefits.

Then MSPs will debate the Census (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill for the first time.

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey highlights that many people live with a hidden hearing loss.

She welcomes the fact the basic sensory checks have been introduced in some local authority areas and hopes these a rolled out more widely.

See Hear is praised for working with Ideas for Ears on the hearing access protocol.

The minister notes specific issues facing people with both dementia and hearing loss, as it can increase confusion and make dementia harder to diagnose.

People with autism can also have a range of sensory issues she adds, saying the next priority is to train healthcare professionals in autism.

The key messages for this event include:

• All people should check their hearing from time to time, especially those who are at a higher risk of hearing loss such as adults above 50 years, those working in noisy places, those listening to music at high volumes for long periods of time and those experiencing ear problems.
• Services for early identification and intervention should be made available through the health system.

Image source, bbc

On 3 March 2019, WHO will launch a free app that allows people to check their hearing. The HearWHO app will be used to:

• Raise awareness about the importance of hearing
• Encourage people to check their hearing regularly and practice safe listening
• Allow health workers to check the hearing status of people in their communities

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Mark Griffin says he uses a hearing aid and adds that prior to that he was unable to hear some interventions from a sedentary position in the chamber.

Mr Griffin points out other people, for example who have dementia, are unable to speak up as he could.

The Labour MSP says out if your inability to communicate is affecting your ability to contribute in society, this can be isolating and puts barriers to being able to access services.

Mr Griffin's British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 17 September 2015.

On World Hearing Day 2019, WHO will draw attention to the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss. Many people live with unidentified hearing loss, often failing to realize that they are missing out on certain sounds and words. Checking one’s hearing would be the first step towards addressing the issue.

Image source, WHO

Approximately 466 million people live with disabling hearing loss.

An overwhelming majority of them reside in low- and middle-income countries and commonly lack access to required services and interventions.

Hearing care and hearing loss were highlighted as a public health issue with the adoption of the resolution (WHA70.13) on prevention of deafness and hearing loss during the World Health Assembly in 2017. This resolution calls upon WHO and its Member States to undertake advocacy through World Hearing Day on 3 March.

Read more here., external