Image source, bbc

Scotland's main economic development agency has expanded its operation to help businesses concerned about Brexit.

Scottish Enterprise has based 160 staff in a centre in Clydebank to deal with an increasing number of calls for support.

The operation went live asEU leaders agreed to extend Brexit until 31 January 2020.

Many Scots firms have called for Brexit to be resolved quickly to end the uncertainty affecting their businesses.

• Read more here
• Brexit is 'chance to grow Scots grocery sector'
• Brexit deal would be 'considerable challenge' for Scottish economy

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart insists there has to be meaningful negotiation on a level playing field.

I welcome that and I do hope you are in regular contact with Michael Gove about this, replies Mr Russell.

Mr Russell says it was accepted there must be a review of intergovernmental relations more than two years ago, with Brexit proving to be too heavy for devolution to bear.

A timetable for this was agreed in June but we've not even had the initial outline yet, he says.

The minister accepts there is little point in this happening now given the election.

Ms Baker pivots to the political declaration, seeking views on it and whether the Scottish government has any involvement on it.

"Of the 500 pages, not a single paragraph, not a single line, was cleared by the devolved administrations or agreed to by the devolved administrations before it was agreed between the UK and the EU," replies the minister.

In one sense, the declaration is a wishlist for the future relationship and it has no legal force, he says.

But it is meant to lay the tracks for the final agreement and it is an unambitious plan, Mr Russell states.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Claire Baker points to the fact John Swinney pledged to create a poverty mitigation fund and she asks about proposals to address the social issues around Brexit.

The Scottish government published its overview of no-deal preparations earlier this month, external, including a commitment to create a £7m Rapid Poverty Mitigation Fund in the event of a no-deal.

Mr Russell: "The no-deal preparations are paused again but have not gone away."

Vast amounts of money have been spent on this and the UK government has not been helpful, he adds.

If the current Withdrawal Agreement Bill went through Westminster and we left in January the most vulnerable would have to be helped, says Mr Russell.

He adds whatever happens the poorest and most vulnerable will be most affected.

The convener wonders about enshrining the rights to devolved areas, such as healthcare.

Mr Russell confirms these are guaranteed, but he reiterates the Scottish government cannot provide residency and not applying for settled status makes things more difficult.

There is a great insecurity around the transition period, he warns, suggesting the UK government seems like it may want to leave this regardless of whether negotiations have ended by the end of 2020.

Image source, Getty Images

The UK will deport EU citizens after Brexit if they do not apply for the right to remain in time, Home Office minister Brandon Lewis says.

He told a German newspaper they would have to leave even if they met all the criteria for a residency permit.

Campaign group the3million, which represents EU citizens in the UK, said this was "no way to treat people".

The Home Office said 1.8 million people had applied to the scheme and others have until "at least" December 2020.

Currently, EU nationals - and their families - living in the UK by 31 October have until the end of 2020 to apply to theEU Settlement Scheme, externalin the event of a no-deal Brexit, or the end of June 2021 if there is a deal.

• No-deal Brexit: Three-year stay for EU nationals
• 'I'm angry to be treated as second-class citizen'
• EU citizens use Windrush scheme to stay in UK
• Read more here

Ms McAlpine says the Home Office has shown the proportion of EU citizens registering for settled status is lower in Scotland than the rest of the UK.

The Brexit secretary replies that is difficult to say why, but it may be due to the temporary nature of agricultural workers or their incredulity that they have to do this.

"The Scottish government's advice to EU nationals here is to apply for settled status," says Mr Russell.

"We don't like that, I find it offensive."

Convener Joan McAlpine asks how citizens rights have been addressed within the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

Mike Russell says the text does offer protection to EU citizens but says it is not unilateral.

The Scottish government has long felt that these rights should be guaranteed regardless of other outcomes and we are concerned about the low levels of take-up of settled status, he tells the committee.

Image source, Andrew Cowan

Yesterday Mike Russell told MSPs Scotland’s economy would suffer significant damage under Boris Johnson's Brexit deal.

Scottish government analysis estimates that under the free trade agreement envisaged in the deal, Scottish Gross Domestic Product would be 6.1% lower by 2030 compared to forecasts under continued EU membership.

This equates to £1,600 per person.

SCOTLAND’S PLACE IN EUROPE: Our Assessment of the Revised Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration, external was published by the Scottish government yesterday.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins accused the Brexit secretary of giving a party political broadcast and argued that the new deal meets many of Mr Russell's demands.

Image source, Andrew Cowan

Image source, PA

Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell will shortly give evidence on Brexit to the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External AffairsCommittee, external.

The evidence session will focus on the withdrawal agreement and issues related to the Article 50 negotiations, agreed by the European Commission and UK government on 17 October 2019.

MSPs will also hear from:

• David Barnes from the Scottish government
• Luke McBratney from the Scottish government

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to BBC Scotland's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 31 October 2019.

On the day the UK was due to leave the EU, Brexit Secretary Michael Russell is discussing the withdrawal agreement with the Europe committee.

At noon, Nicola Sturgeon will be quizzed during first minister's questions.

Then Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton leads a debate on Hong Kong.

After lunch, social security questions takes place, followed by the statement on farming subsidies and a statement on emissions.

Finally, MSPs will mark 100 years of the Forestry Commission.