Ending free movement ‘will be damaging to Scotland’

Measure is ‘self-defeating’, Sturgeon will tell French Parliament

The UK Government’s aim to end freedom of movement after Brexit is a “self-defeating” measure, according to Nicola Sturgeon.

The first minister is to speak at the Assemblee Nationale in the French Parliament today and will address concerns around immigration policy after the UK leaves the European Union.

Ms Sturgeon will be in Paris to open a new Scottish Government office before attending the French Parliament’s 73-member foreign affairs committee.

“For me, this is one of the saddest parts of Brexit,” the first minister will say in her speech to the committee.

“The UK Government is proclaiming the end of free movement as a victory – instead, it is a self-defeating measure. It removes opportunity from millions of people.

“It is an approach which is especially damaging to Scotland. Without freedom of movement there is a danger that our population will start to decline.

“We could face workforce shortages in rural areas, in our universities, in our care and health services. European nationals are not only very welcome in Scotland, they are crucial to our wellbeing.

“All of this is down to the red lines that the UK Government has chosen to draw.

“Given the existence of those red lines, I understand why the European Union believes that the deal agreed in November is the best which could be achieved.

“I appreciate that many people in France and across the EU would like the UK to just get on with it. But no government of Scotland which has the interests of this and future generations at heart could possibly support the current deal.”

Ms Sturgeon is also expected to indicate her government’s intention to “step up” efforts to encourage EU citizens to stay in Scotland.

Picture: PA. Nicola Sturgeon will speak in Paris today.