Chamber and committees

Ultimately, as with all areas of devolved responsibility, it will be for Scottish Ministers to decide how to use Levy funding as part of the wider Scottish block grant.

We have committed to developing a distinctly Scottish approach to apprenticeships and wider skills development and to drive closer engagement with industry in our efforts to enhance productivity and inclusive economic growth.

Following our recent consultation we are finalising plans for responding to the introduction of the UK Apprenticeship Levy as part of the forthcoming Scottish Budget.

This Government is acutely aware of the concern that business is facing around the lack of clarity on this issue and the need for them to prepare around their own workforce planning needs.

Following our recent consultation we are finalising plans for responding to the introduction of the UK Apprenticeship Levy as part of the forthcoming Scottish Budget.

The role of the Scottish Medicines Consortium is to provide advice to the NHS in Scotland about the clinical and cost effectiveness of new medicines.

The SMC carry out their role independently of Ministers and Parliament and do not provide advice for the Scottish Government.

Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy based on a range of recent studies covering different trading relationships that the UK could adopt.

The analysis shows that the potential cost to Scottish GDP of leaving the European Union could be up to £11.2 billion per year by 2030 than under a scenario where the UK remains a member. The analysis also indicates that leaving the EU could result in a reduction in Scottish tax revenues of up to £3.7 billion a year by 2030.

Evidence published by the European and External Relations Committee based on analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute forecast that leaving the EU could result in the number of people in employment being up to 80,000 lower after
10 years.

The Scottish Government has repeatedly requested assurances from the UK Government that immigration status and rights of EU nationals currently living in Scotland will not change in the future. The First Minister and I attended the Joint Ministerial Committee (plenary), chaired by the Prime Minister, on 24 October, where we again raised this important issue.

I have also raised this issue - and will continue to do so - in my discussions with David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04214 on 23 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government is firm in its belief that the rights of Scots living in the EU should be maintained. I have raised this issue in my discussions with the UK Government, both through bi-lateral meetings with David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and during the first Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) which took place earlier this month. I have, and will continue, to make clear that membership of the single market and the benefits that flow from it, including free movement of labour, is essential for the economic prosperity of Scotland.

Dr Allan, Minister for International Development and Europe is due to meet with the UK Minister of State for Immigration Mr Goodwill on 1 December and will raise issues relating to freedom of movement during that discussion.

The Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland’s interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market.

As part of this, the Scottish Government is currently undertaking a range of analyses to understand the potential implications of the UK exiting the EU across various policy areas and scenarios. These draw on Scottish Government in-house work, analysis commissioned by others and advice by its expert Standing Council on Europe.

In the coming weeks the Scottish Government will table specific proposals that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU.

The Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland’s interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market.

As part of this, the Scottish Government is currently undertaking a range of analyses to understand the potential implications of the UK exiting the EU across various policy areas and scenarios. These draw on Scottish Government in-house work, analysis commissioned by others and advice by its expert Standing Council on Europe.

In the coming weeks the Scottish Government will table specific proposals that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU.