United Kingdom Immigration Policy (Impact on Working Population)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 30 January 2019.

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Photo of Maureen Watt Maureen Watt Scottish National Party

1. To ask the Scottish Government what impact UK Government immigration policy is having on Scotland’s working population. (S5O-02829)

Photo of Ben Macpherson Ben Macpherson Scottish National Party

Migration is vital to Scotland’s population growth. Each year for the next 25 years, all of Scotland’s population growth is projected to come from migration.

The United Kingdom Government’s commitment to cut net migration to the tens of thousands could therefore seriously harm our economy. If that commitment is implemented, Scotland’s working age population is projected to decline by 4.5 per cent, which would mean a reduction of 150,000 people between 2016 and 2041.

A Brexit-driven reduction in migration would see gross domestic product in Scotland drop by an estimated 6.2 per cent by 2040, which would be equivalent to a fall of almost £6.8 billion a year in GDP and £2 billion in Government revenue. That is an unacceptable price for Scotland to pay, which is why we need a migration policy that is tailored to Scotland’s needs and more powers for the Scottish Parliament.

Photo of Maureen Watt Maureen Watt Scottish National Party

An NHS Grampian survey that was recently presented to the Aberdeen city health and social care partnership states that not only staffing but medical supplies, access to treatment, regulations and cross-border issues are areas of high risk due to Brexit.

That is compounded by the Home Office’s stubborn refusal to engage with MSPs and our offices. Does the minister agree that the Home Office should stop treating MSPs and members of other devolved Parliaments like second-class representatives and start engaging with us to resolve immigration cases as soon as possible? Does he agree that it is time that the Westminster Government stopped using European Union nationals and others as pawns in its games?

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

No, Ms Watt. It was a good point but it was not brief enough. I am getting tetchy.

Photo of Ben Macpherson Ben Macpherson Scottish National Party

Brexit could indeed have significant impacts on health and social care in Scotland, with potentially serious consequences for the recruitment and retention of health and social care workers. As Maureen Watt said, Brexit also raises concerns in areas such as medicines, medical devices, clinical trials, access to future EU funding and the rights of Scottish citizens to access state-provided healthcare across the EU.

On correspondence, MSPs are understandably concerned about those issues and the impact that they have on their constituents. I have met the UK Minister of State for Immigration, Caroline Nokes, several times to highlight the Scottish Government’s concerns and reiterate our willingness to work collaboratively to safeguard the interests of EU citizens in Scotland. However, despite committing to meaningful engagement, the Home Office continues to refuse to deal substantively with the concerns of the Scottish ministers and MSPs on immigration cases. That is completely unacceptable.

The UK Government has repeatedly committed—publicly and privately—to the full involvement of the devolved Administrations. Unfortunately, I have thus far been frustrated by the quality of that engagement. Nevertheless, the Scottish Government is clear that it will do all that it can to support EU citizens through this difficult time. As Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development, I am happy to receive correspondence from MSPs and to write to the UK Government, minister to minister, as I have done for MSPs across the chamber.

Photo of Willie Rennie Willie Rennie Liberal Democrat

I also have concerns about the immigration policy. Sectors such as the fruit and veg farms in my constituency, universities and the tourism industry are already being impacted by a drop in the number of workers in Scotland.

I do not support the devolution of immigration policy, as these problems are not unique to Scotland. What practical steps has the minister taken to influence UK Government policy?

Photo of Ben Macpherson Ben Macpherson Scottish National Party

Just under a year ago, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, presented to the Scottish Parliament our substantial paper on how we can take practical steps and seek to influence UK policy. We have written repeatedly to UK Government ministers about our concerns about the Migration Advisory Committee report and the white paper, and we have raised those concerns in person. We will make a submission to the Migration Advisory Committee consultation on the shortage occupation list.

We are working across every area of the Government to influence UK Government policy, and we are working with stakeholders across business who are deeply concerned about what is in the white paper, particularly the proposed salary threshold.

I say to Willie Rennie in good faith that we are proposing flexibility in the UK system by taking a solution-focused approach in response to what is being proposed in the UK Government’s white paper. Willie Rennie said that in his constituency—this is the case for many constituencies across Scotland—key sectors will be affected by what the UK Government’s white paper proposes. I ask Willie Rennie to meet me and engage with us as a Government. Together, let us be solution focused for the benefit of his constituents and the common good of Scotland.