Thread by @ellenjoelle

I shall be live tweeting this debate - hoping to see some constructive policy suggestions from @scotgov here. #NewScots #Scotland #UnitedInDiversity #SettledStatus

https://twitter.com/ScotParl/status/1194253605529903104

@scotgov Shockingly few attending the debate. @BenMacpherson points out that @scotgov is working with @the3million and other to provide support in applying for (pre)SS.

@scotgov @BenMacpherson @the3million Thompkin reprimands @BenMacpherson for using the phrase "hostile environment", stating that UKgov is welcoming skilled labour and that this is not 'hostile'. MacPherson responds that going by migrant's experiences the Hostile Environment has spread fear.

@scotgov @BenMacpherson @the3million Scotgov requests pre-#SettledStatus be dropped, getting rid of the need for multiple applications, demand a declaratory system for EU citizens instead of SS.

Interestingly, @BenMacpherson now calls for a physical token to be provided to Status holders.

https://twitter.com/ellenjoelle/status/1175856046818115585

@scotgov @BenMacpherson @the3million Incredibly, the first contribution following the opening is from @DAJCameron criticising @BenMacpherson's "knee-jerk criticism of UKgov. If anything the current administration has gone above and beyond to provide clarity". Ridiculous.

@scotgov @BenMacpherson @the3million @DAJCameron A wee note to @DAJCameron: If you're talking about my #EUcitizen rights, don't blame @theSNP for the fact YOUR WM government refuses to enshrine our rights into UK law. You CAN blame them for not hounding you about the loss of #NewScots rights 24/7, though.

@scotgov @BenMacpherson @the3million @DAJCameron @theSNP "We support the major contribution EU citizens make." is only a sentence, @DAJCameron, if the only thing you consider relevant about migrants is what they give to you.

For shame. We're humans. We're #NewScots.

@scotgov @BenMacpherson @the3million @DAJCameron @theSNP @Alex_RowleyMSP: "Disabled people and children are most likely to fall through the cracks of Settled Status."

Indeed, this is something @FransGoossens1 has been trying to point out for years now. How does @scotgov intend to mitigate and support #NewScots now and after Brexit?

@scotgov @BenMacpherson @the3million @DAJCameron @theSNP @Alex_RowleyMSP @FransGoossens1 Interesting statistic by @Alex_RowleyMSP. Apparently, every EU national choosing to make their home in #Scotland is worth another +30k to Scotlands economy.

Orkney MP @Liam4Orkney says that UKgov has used "EU nationals as pawns" and points out that over 2 million #EUCitizens in the UK still do not hold SS - some of his constituents had to travel to Edinburgh to have their documents checked for #SettledStatus applications.

@Liam4Orkney Contribution from @aewingmsp: "I find it abhorrent that UKgov is forcing people to make an application that they already have.", seconds calls for the Settled Status system to be overhauled and become declaratory but calls for #NewScots to apply.

Sorry, Annabelle - I will not.

@Liam4Orkney @aewingmsp "Welcome and valued" count through the roof. Thank god this isn't a drinking game.

@Liam4Orkney @aewingmsp Good speech from @StuMcMillanSNP "Scotland is in this [Brexit] mess because of the demonization of migrants.". Correctly reminds that incidents such as during the #Windrush scandal (leave for holiday, get refused reentry) will repeat.

@Liam4Orkney @aewingmsp @StuMcMillanSNP Noteworthy reminder from @StuMcMillanSNP: "It does not require hostile intentions to have devastating impacts.". We should remember this for Scotland's independent constitution!

Shocking - @JoanMcAlpine says #Scotland may be facing a drop of 50% fewer migrants thanks to Brexit - this number may well be worse due to lack of reliable figures. This will have devastating economic and social effects on Scotland's economy without decisive action from @scotgov.

@JoanMcAlpine @scotgov Conservative MSP @jamiegreeneUK questions why only around 90k of #Scotland's 200k+ #NewScots have applied for SS. He says that if Brexit "there has to be a physical mechanism". Physical. Sounds like a #token could gain multi-party support.

@JoanMcAlpine @scotgov @jamiegreeneUK James Dornan @glasgowcathcart asks @jamiegreeneUK why anyone should trust a system that through #Windrush scandal was exposed as dysfunctional and inhumane. Hear hear.

Interesting. @theSNP's growth commission, which proposed Scotland would pay UK for (immig.?) services.

@JoanMcAlpine @scotgov @jamiegreeneUK @glasgowcathcart @theSNP Bravo, @fultonsnp!

"They talk about encouraging constituents to apply but no one mentions that this application process involves finding original flight details, providing job details, bank accounts, GP appointments, even individual prescriptions."

ANYONE would struggle.

@JoanMcAlpine @scotgov @jamiegreeneUK @glasgowcathcart @theSNP @fultonsnp Immigr. minister @BenMacpherson pleads colleagues to hold more informational sessions with EU citizens to better understand their plight.

Sorry, Ben. I used to go to them all, by now it just feels like being milked for information & empathy points without relevant follow-up.

Sadly very little in terms of new, constructive policy suggestions from @scotgov today.

While pro-migration rhetoric from @theSNP is welcome, it's little more than warm words - #NewScots need #MoreThanWords.

Asking the UK Home Office repeatedly to drop SS won't do, either.

We have a chance to show #Scotland's solidarity with #NewScot #EUcitizens on an international stage - or we continue to send pointless little 'Stop it' notes to Westminster.

If anyone is looking for policy starting points, why not start here:

docs.google.com/document/d/1rG…