EU nationals contribute to GDP

EU nationals working in Scotland contribute an average of £34,400 to GDP, according to new analysis from the Scottish Government.

The figure is included in the government’s submission to the Migration Advisory Committee, which has been commissioned by the UK Government to advise on the economic and social impacts of Brexit.

Europe minister Alasdair Allan said the analysis demonstrated the “huge economic benefits” that workers from the EU bring to Scotland.

There were 128,000 EU nationals working in the country last year, according to the government’s evidence.

It found that EU migrants have a positive effect on the Scottish economy, with each contributing an additional £34,400 to GDP per year, totalling around £4.42 billion.

More than a quarter of these workers were employed in the hotel and restaurant sector, while just over a fifth worked in public admin, health and education.

Just under one fifth were employed in finance and business services.

Figures have projected a growing and ageing population over the next 25 years, with the increase over the next decade due to come from migration.

Scottish ministers have called for the freedom of movement of EU workers to be retained after Brexit, and have pressed for immigration policy to be devolved to Holyrood.