Sturgeon: Hand over powers to let folk in
It’s time to end UK’s ‘anti-migrant obsession’ and give Scotland the chance to control its own immigration
NICOLA Sturgeon will today call for immigration powers to be given to Holyrood as she warns the Tories to drop their “anti-migrant obsession”.
NICOLA Sturgeon will today demand the Tories drop their “anti-migrant obsession” as she puts full support for immigration at the centre of her conference speech.
The First Minister will call for powers over immigration to be devolved to Holyrood after warning Tory efforts to limit the numbers coming to the UK are hurting the Scottish NHS and education system.
In a move that would be widely seen as risking alienating voters in the rest of Britain, she will insist Scotland actually needs more people to come here.
Theresa May has been embroiled in controversy since the impact of her “hostile environment” policy towards migrants on the Windrush generation hit the headlines.
Addressing the party faithful in Aberdeen, Sturgeon will contrast the Prime Minister’s attitude to the one pursued by the Scottish Government.
She will say: “Westminster might want to create a hostile environment for migrants. But let me make this clear today – that policy is not in our name.
“Our message to everyone who has chosen to build a life here in Aberdeen, or anywhere in Scotland, is this – you are welcome and we want you to stay.”
Referencing high-profile Scottish immigration cases, Sturgeon will insist the hostile environment policy has a “real impact on our communities, our schools and hospitals”.
“Recently, a school on the Isle of Mull struggled to fill a Gaelic teaching vacancy. Eventually, a teacher from Canada applied for and got the job. And then found herself blocked by the Home Office,” she will say.
“When John Swinney took up the case with the UK Government, he was told they wouldn’t even reply. Well, the Tories might not reply to us. But I think we should reply to them.
“Drop your anti-migrant obsession. Drop it now and put our school pupils first.”
The First Minister will also insist the immigration problems
We need and want people to come and work in our country STURGEON ON IMMIGRATION
are hurting the NHS. She will raise the case of Ghana-born Denzel Darku, who was threatened with deportation until the Record’s sister paper the Sunday Mail took up his case.
Sturgeon will say: “Until days ago, a young student nurse from Paisley, a former member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, Denzel Darku, was being threatened with deportation.
“At first sight, that beggars belief. But in reality, it’s just the Tories being true to form. Hostile to migrants and neglecting the NHS. Shame on them.
“The SNP have different aspirations for our country. This may not be a popular sentiment in parts of Brexit Britain but let me express it loudly and clearly.
“We need and we want people to come to work in our country. Our prosperity and our public services depend on it.
“If Westminster cannot or will not act in our best interests, it is time our own Parliament was able to do so. It’s time for powers over migration to come to Scotland.”
Sturgeon will also use her speech to announce a new fund will invest £70million this year, with £25million going towards building 3000 new homes.
The £150million Building Scotland Fund is the precursor to the Scottish National Investment Bank, announced in the Holyrood budget. Sturgeon will say it “has the potential to put Scotland at the forefront of technological and environmental innovation and create jobs” but it will take time to set up.
“To bridge the gap, we have announced £150million over the next two years for a new Building Scotland Fund,” she will say.
From £70million invested this year, £25million will be for low-carbon industrial facilities, £25million for homes and £20million on research and development.