FIRST Minster Nicola Sturgeon has reacted to the outcry over Tory immigration plans by announcing ministers and councils chiefs would accelerate plans to bring Syrian child refugees to Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon has told delegates at the annual conference of the country's main local government body Cosla that round table discussions would take place to help reunite refugee children with their families living in Scotland.

In her speech to the conference at Crieff Hydro Hotel, the First Minister said councils and the government had so far worked well in relocating around 1000 Syrians from the war-torn country but more needed to be done.

She described the fallout from the EU referendum as being of "paramount importance to Scotland" and said the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham showed "how difficult it is going to be to influence the UK government towards a soft exit, and the challenges that we face in maintaining membership of the single market".

Ms Sturgeon also moved to reassure delegates at the conference, the last before the council elections next May, over plans to reform local government.

She said: "In all of this, we are working with you as local government to further decentralise budgets and powers. We want Scotland to be a country where community ownership is both desirable and viable, and where community-led action is celebrate"

Earlier in the day, Cosla's president David O'Neill said controversial plans to reform Scottish education risked the same high-profile problems faced during the creation of the single police force.

Mr O'Neill also told delegates that education was just one of a number of potential reforms which would lead to the break-up of local services and democratic control of them.

In her speech on Thursday afternoon Ms Sturgeon said: “The efforts of local authorities, their partner organisations and local communities are to be commended in their work to make Scotland a safe and welcoming place for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.

“The fact that 1000 people can now call Scotland their home thanks to the Syrian Resettlement Scheme demonstrates the success of this joint working.

“However, the refugee crisis has not gone away. People are still fleeing the continued violence in Syria and other countries. Scotland has shown that it can help, but we need to do more. I have been moved by the plight of child refugees, and we must ensure those with family in the UK are reunited with them as quickly as possible. That is what we and our local authority partners want to happen.

“The Scottish Government and CoSLA will be convening a roundtable to take forward this work and ensure that we all do the best we can for these children, who need a safe place, where they can get back into education, rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential.”

She added: “Our differences can be deep and heartfelt, but far more unites us than divides us. We know CoSLA is an essential and equal partner in creating a fairer and more prosperous Scotland. We will always be committed to working together with local authorities.”

Mr O’Neill said: “Scottish councils have shown their commitment to humanitarian work around the Syrian refugee resettlement scheme.

“We are fully committed to working with the Scottish Government on this issue and want to see children reunited with their families wherever they are in the UK.”