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Motion

Contribution of EU Citizens to Scotland

S5M-15184 · Motion For Debate · lodged by Macpherson, Ben

Lodged on
17 Dec 2018
Heard / answered on
19 Dec 2018

Watch the chamber session on SPTV · lands on the meetings recorded on 19 Dec 2018

That the Parliament welcomes the significant economic, social and cultural contributions made by EU citizens to Scotland; acknowledges that they are a welcome and integral part of communities across the country; notes that EU citizens are important contributors to key sectors such as health and social care, education, construction, tourism and hospitality, culture, rural industries and financial services; recognises that EU citizens who have settled in Scotland have done so under freedom of movement; however, notes that the UK Government’s policy is for EU citizens, including children, to enter an application process to obtain settled status and pay a fee to retain their existing rights to live, work and study in Scotland; recognises the risk that this charge could create a barrier for families and for individuals on low incomes; notes the Scottish Government commitment to meet the settled status fee for EU citizens working in devolved public services and to provide an information and advice service to support them; however, believes that EU citizens should not have to pay to retain rights that they already hold, and therefore calls on the UK Government to scrap its fee for settled status applications.
Backed by

Supported by 1 additional MSP

SNP 1
Lodged by Macpherson, Ben (Scottish National Party).
Final vote on motion (no amendments carried)
19 Dec 2018
Carried Show MSPs
For
90
Against
27
Abstain
0
Not voted
12
Amendments were lodged but none were carried; the motion was decided as originally lodged.
Computer-generated best guess

Possible final motion text as originally lodged

No carried amendments applied

This is a computer’s best guess at applying carried amendments to the original motion text. It uses simple text rules for phrases such as “insert at end”, “after X insert Y”, and “leave out from X to end and insert Y”. Treat it as an aid, not the official motion text.

That the Parliament welcomes the significant economic, social and cultural contributions made by EU citizens to Scotland; acknowledges that they are a welcome and integral part of communities across the country; notes that EU citizens are important contributors to key sectors such as health and social care, education, construction, tourism and hospitality, culture, rural industries and financial services; recognises that EU citizens who have settled in Scotland have done so under freedom of movement; however, notes that the UK Government’s policy is for EU citizens, including children, to enter an application process to obtain settled status and pay a fee to retain their existing rights to live, work and study in Scotland; recognises the risk that this charge could create a barrier for families and for individuals on low incomes; notes the Scottish Government commitment to meet the settled status fee for EU citizens working in devolved public services and to provide an information and advice service to support them; however, believes that EU citizens should not have to pay to retain rights that they already hold, and therefore calls on the UK Government to scrap its fee for settled status applications.
In the Official Report

Debated in chamber — 4 contributions reference this

  • The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP Chamber · 19 Dec 2018 · Meeting of the Parliament 19 December 2018
    The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-15184, in the name of Ben Macpherson, on the contribution of European Union citizens to Scotland. 15:42
  • The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA Chamber · 19 Dec 2018 · Meeting of the Parliament 19 December 2018
    The first question is, that amendment S5M-15184.2, in the name of Adam Tomkins, which seeks to amend motion S5M-15184, in the name of Ben Macpherson, on the contribution of European Union citizens to…
  • The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber · 19 Dec 2018 · Meeting of the Parliament 19 December 2018
    The next question is, that amendment S5M-15184.1, in the name of Claire Baker, which seeks to amend motion S5M-15184, in the name of Ben Macpherson, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members indicated ag…
  • The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber · 19 Dec 2018 · Meeting of the Parliament 19 December 2018
    The next question is, that motion S5M-15184, in the name of Ben Macpherson, on the contribution of EU citizens to Scotland, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.

Amendments and how the chamber decided

  1. Selected item
    Carried 90/27
    S5M-15184
    17 Dec 2018 · Motion For Debate · Macpherson, Ben
    That the Parliament welcomes the significant economic, social and cultural contributions made by EU citizens to Scotland; acknowledges that they are a welcome and integral part of communities across the country; notes that EU citizens are important contributors to key sectors such as health and social care, education, construction, tourism and hospitality...
  2. Linked amendment/item
    S5M-15184.1
    18 Dec 2018 · Amendment · Baker, Claire
    As an amendment to motion S5M-15184 in the name of Ben Macpherson (Contribution of EU Citizens to Scotland), after “freedom of movement;” insert “commends the work of organisations such as EU Citizens Rights Project, in partnership with stakeholders, to address the needs and concerns of EU citizens, ensuring that their voice is heard throughout the negoti...
  3. Linked amendment/item
    Defeated 27/90
    S5M-15184.2
    18 Dec 2018 · Amendment · Tomkins, Adam
    As an amendment to motion S5M-15184 in the name of Ben Macpherson (Contribution of EU Citizens to Scotland), leave out from "however, notes that the UK Government's policy" to end and insert ", and notes and welcomes that the first priority of the UK Government in the process of leaving the EU has always been to secure the status of EU citizens living in ...