Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on staffing levels in the NHS in Scotland.

NHS staffing levels in Scotland are a matter for the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland.

The UK Government is clear that we don't regard the EU referendum result as a vote for the UK to pull up the drawbridge - we will continue to welcome those with the skills, the drive and the expertise to make a positive contribution, including health professionals.

At this stage no decisions have been taken in respect of future immigration arrangements after the UK has left the European Union, and we are considering very carefully the options that are open to us. As part of that, it is important that we understand the impacts on the different sectors of the economy and the labour market from any changes that we make. The Home Secretary has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to gather evidence on patterns of EU migration and the role of migration in the wider economy, ahead of our exit from the EU. The MAC’s findings will be used to inform decisions about the UK’s post-EU exit immigration arrangements.