Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-18885, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on the impact of the United Kingdom Government’s family migration pol...

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop) SNP

I welcome the opportunity to focus on an issue that affects families and communities across Scotland. Many members in the chamber will have had experience of...

Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I am pleased to open for the Scottish Conservatives on the impact of the United Kingdom Government’s family migration policy on Scotland. Migration policy ...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

Will the member give way?

Alexander Stewart Con

Time is tight, and I would like to make some progress. In anticipation of changes to migration policy following Brexit, the UK Government has commissioned ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Sorry to interrupt you, Mr Stewart. There is a little time in hand for interventions. It is entirely a matter for you, of course.

Alexander Stewart Con

A points-based system will mean that we can prioritise what people can contribute to Scotland and the UK, rather than prioritise where they come from. Indeed...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

I appreciate the member’s points. It has taken seven long years for the Tories to undo the damage that has been done. In the spirit of what Mr Stewart is say...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Mr Stewart, you will get your time back.

Alexander Stewart Con

If we need to come together, I do not see any obstacles to achieving that. As the cabinet secretary pointed out, if we work together, we can achieve things. ...

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

I welcome this afternoon’s debate on family migration policy. As the cabinet secretary said, the announcement on the post-study work visa is welcome, and th...

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green

I welcome the Government’s motion on this issue. However, it is worded very diplomatically. It says that the UK has the “least family friendly immigration ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

We move to the open debate. I call Joan McAlpine.

Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

Excuse me, Presiding Officer, but I have a problem with my laptop.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Do you want to move to the next desk?

Joan McAlpine SNP

It is not the desk; it is the laptop.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I am sorry—I misheard you. In that case, I call Fulton MacGregor. 16:14

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP

It is no exaggeration to say that the UK’s family migration policy is one of the least family-friendly immigration policies in the developed world. The 2015 ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

You must close, please.

Fulton MacGregor SNP

I will close on that point, Presiding Officer. 16:18

Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I, again, emphasise what I said during last week’s immigration debate: Scotland and the wider UK owe a great deal to migration. Historically, this country h...

Fiona Hyslop SNP

The seasonal agricultural work pilot is tiny compared with the needs of the sector. On a related point, if we focus on the issue of the brightest and best gr...

Jamie Halcro Johnston Con

As Alexander Stewart said, we will work with the Scottish Government in areas where we agree on action that will be of benefit to Scotland. However, I am try...

The Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development (Ben Macpherson) SNP

Will the member take an intervention on that point?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Mr Halcro Johnston is just closing.

Jamie Halcro Johnston Con

Today, the Scottish Government has raised the minimum income threshold for dependent family members who are seeking to come to the UK. In this case, there is...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

You must close.

Jamie Halcro Johnston Con

There is a legitimate debate about how to apply minimum income requirements for the families of migrants who move here to work. However, we should be aware o...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We are running out of time, so I will have to cut the final speeches short; I will let those speakers know shortly by how much. At this point, I will have to...

Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I want to focus my remarks on refugees, who are the most vulnerable group of people who are affected by the rules that we are discussing. Among refugees, the...