Labour MSP Colin Smyth said there was little to disagree with in terms of the strategic directions set out in the plan, but added there needs to be clear and meaningful actions.

He asked about a timetable for this.

Mr Wheelhouse replied the implementation plan would be forthcoming and indicators were being developed.

He offered to meet with Mr Smyth and other members to discuss this further within the 40 day period for parliament consideration.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Jamie Greene said our islands were faced with many challenges and said one islander had termed this plan as merely aspirational.

Mr Greene pointed out that nowhere in the plan was there mention of additional financial resource to assist in meeting the 13 strategic objectives.

He also called for plans to address population decline and the need for a dozen new replacement ferries.

Mr Wheelhouse recognised the importance of ferries and insisted that there were relevant details in the plan.

The government were trying to identify the resources required going forward, the minster insisted.

Mr Wheelhouse pointed out this was a proposed plan, not the final one, and engagement with the islanders would continue.

Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse confirmed the draft national islands plan, external had been published last week.

Each objective within the plan is underpinned by a series of actions, he states.

The minister said the plan sought to be fair, integrated, green and inclusive.

He said a young islanders network would be established to take forward the plan in a way the supported young people and encouraged them to return to the islands.

The Scottish Parliament now has 40 days to consider it and provide feedback, he stated.

Image source, Scottish government

Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse has set out the details in the Proposed National Islands Plan, external, published last week.

It sets out a strategy for improving outcomes for island communities and has a particular focus on transport and housing.

From April to July 2019, there was a wide consultation on what was important to islanders and through that process, it was identified that a range of issues need to be addressed in order to achieve our objective of improving life on Scotland's islands.

We'll bring you reports on what has been said soon.

Plans have been prepared by the Scottish governmenht for the old port in Stranraer to be used to hold up to 300 HGVs if traffic flows between Northern Ireland and Scotland increase following a no-deal Brexit.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney revealed the plans as the Scottish government published its overview of no-deal preparations today, external.

The report outlines details steps to protect food and medicine supplies, support businesses and safeguard vulnerable citizens.

Mr Swinney also highlighted no-deal plans for a:

• Scottish Medicines Shortage Response Group
• £7 million Rapid Poverty Mitigation Fund

• 300 police officers in place to deal with any disorder

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has revealed the Scottish government's overview of no-deal preparations today, external.

It includes a £7m Rapid Poverty Mitigation Fund for local authorities to distribute to the most vulnerable communities.

Other mitigation measures are:

• creation of a Scottish Medicines Shortage Response Group
• the old port in Stranraer to be used to hold up to 300 HGVs if traffic flows increase

• 300 police officers in place to deal with any disorder
• pressing for changes to the EU Settlement Scheme to safeguard the rights of citizens
• maintain and intensify the 'Stay in Scotland' campaign
• enhance the Talent Attraction activity through the establishment of a ‘Welcome to Scotland' resource
• ensure EU citizens in Scotland are not discriminated against

Image source, AFP

• maintain the 'International Recruitment Unit' within NHS Scotland until at least December 2020
• NHS Research Scotland will support advisory arrangements put in place by the UK government regarding clinical trials
• guarantee continuation of existing funding arrangements for EU students entering into further or higher education in Scotland up to the 2020-21 academic year.
• continue to provide student support for Scottish domiciled students studying in the EU as part of the fundable Portability Scheme in the 2019-20 academic year.
• explore options to allow Scotland to remain part of the current and future Erasmus and Horizon programmes

Image source, bbc

Mr Swinney told MSPs that of the £98.25 million received from the UK government in EU exit consequentials, the Scottish government has spent or committed £98.7 million.

It will receive a £40 million share of funding announced by the UK government on 1 August and has bid for a further £52 million.

Image source, STRANRAER OYSTER FESTIVAl

Plans have been prepared by the Scottish governmenht for the old port in Stranraer to be used to hold up to 300 HGVs if traffic flows between Northern Ireland and Scotland increase following a no-deal Brexit.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney revealed the plans as the Scottish government published its overview of no-deal preparations today, external.

The report outlines details steps to protect food and medicine supplies, support businesses and safeguard vulnerable citizens.

Mr Swinney also highlighted no-deal plans for a:

• Scottish Medicines Shortage Response Group
• £7 million Rapid Poverty Mitigation Fund

• 300 police officers in place to deal with any disorder

Image source, PA Media

A No 10 source has said a Brexit deal is "essentially impossible" after a call between the PM and Angela Merkel.

Boris Johnson and the German chancellor spoke earlier about the proposals he put forward to the EU - but the source said she made clear a deal based on them was "overwhelmingly unlikely".

The BBC's Adam Fleming said there was "scepticism" within the EU that Mrs Merkel would have used such language.

And the EU's top official warned the UK against a "stupid blame game".

Image source, bbc

The Scottish government has published its overview of no-deal preparations today, external.

The report outlines details steps to protect food and medicine supplies, support businesses and safeguard vulnerable citizens.

Specific initiatives have included the establishment of a Scottish Medicines Shortage Response Group and a commitment to create a £7 million Rapid Poverty Mitigation Fund in the event of a ‘no deal’.

Plans have been prepared for the old port in Stranraer to be used to hold up to 300 HGVs if traffic flows between Northern Ireland and Scotland increase.

Farmers and crofters are receiving 95% of their Common Agricultural Policy payments early to shield them from the immediate effects of a ‘no deal’ and consideration is being given to increasing Marine Scotland’s surveillance capabilities.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says there is no Brexit deal that is better than EU membership and we must do all we can to stop no-deal.

How much government effort is being consumed by no-deal planning and what other areas have suffered as a result, he asks.

Mr Swinney says the Scottish government has had to redirect staff towards these priorities at an increasing rate as we get nearer to the end of October.

The finance and costs involved in that are included in today's paper, he adds.

Patrick Harvie ask about EU citizens who are already in Scotland who are facing such uncertainty and vulnerability.

The Scottish Green Party co-leader warns against these people being "thrown under a bus" in the case of a no-deal Brexit.

He asks what the Scottish government are doing to identify their support needs.

Image source, Getty Images

The deputy first minister agrees with Mr Harvie's concerns and the impact on their wellbeing.

Mr Swinney points out in April the Scottish government launched the Stay in Scotland campaign to show EU migrants they were welcome.

He expresses concerns about the relatively low level of uptake of the EU Settled Status Scheme, external.

In August we reported about a quarter of the estimated 220,000 EU citizens living in Scotland had so far applied to remain in the UK after Brexit.

Image source, bbc

The deputy first minister says the Benn Act "should" provide the necessary legal protection against leaving the EU without a deal.

He says he is not permitted to talk about legal advice, but he highlights Lord Pentland's judgement yesterday.

Lord Pentland said there could be "no doubt" that the prime minister had agreed to abide by the law, external.

Labour MSP Alex Rowley says today's statement reaffirms the "severe and unnecessary harms" of a no-deal Brexit.

It is disingenuous of Tory MSPs to insists they are seeking a deal with the EU when what has been put forward is unworkable, he adds.

Mr Rowley asks about the Scottish government's most up to date legal advice on no-deal going ahead, given the Benn Act.

The Scottish government has published its overview of no-deal preparations today, external.

The report outlines details steps to protect food and medicine supplies, support businesses and safeguard vulnerable citizens.

Specific initiatives have included the establishment of a Scottish Medicines Shortage Response Group and a commitment to create a £7 million Rapid Poverty Mitigation Fund in the event of a ‘no deal’.

Plans have been prepared for the old port in Stranraer to be used to hold up to 300 HGVs if traffic flows between Northern Ireland and Scotland increase.

Farmers and crofters are receiving 95% of their Common Agricultural Policy payments early to shield them from the immediate effects of a ‘no deal’ and consideration is being given to increasing Marine Scotland’s surveillance capabilities.

Mr Swinney replies to Mr Cameron saying that it is not that credible to say leaving with a deal remains the priority, given the prime minister has offered a deal that looks like it is designed to fail.

The deputy first minister points out Jackson Carlaw has now carried out a complete volte face on no-deal and is willing to accept it.

Mr Swinney says there has been extensive dialogue with the medical supply companies to allow stockpiling.

He anticipates there are six weeks' supply available thanks to stockpiling, but there are doubts about being able to sustain that in the event of no-deal.

This is an issue that will cause unease to members of the public, which is why we want to avoid no-deal, he concludes.

Tory MSP Donald Cameron says his party remains committed to leaving the EU with a deal.

Mr Cameron turns to no-deal preparations, asking about medical supplies which will plainly be a matter of concern to people across Scotland.

He asks for specific details about Scottish government work to manage any shortages in the NHS.

There are significant financial consequences of planning for a potential no-deal, Mr Swinney says.

£98.25m of Barnett consequentials from Brexit planning have now been committed and that is before Brexit has even occurred, he tells the chamber.

The real cost of a no-deal Brexit will massively outweigh the mitigation funding and we will require more if it comes to pass, he adds.

Mr Swinney reiterates the Scottish government will support another vote on Brexit that includes an option to remain and urges the UK government to "rule out" no-deal.

Reality Check

Image source, Google

The UK government has released an assessment of the possible effects of a no-deal Brexit on the UK, after MPs demanded that it be made public.

The document, marked as "Official Sensitive" and dated 2 August 2019, outlines a series of "reasonable worst-case planning assumptions".

It was drawn up as part of "Operation Yellowhammer" - the name for the government's contingency plan to prepare for leaving the European Union (EU) without a deal.

So, what does the document say and what is being done - as far as we know - to prepare for no-deal?

Read more.