We deserve better than this sabotage

Sir, – News that Sir Keir Starmer is ruling out freedom of movement with the European Union if Labour wins the next general election is clearly disappointing but not unexpected.

Labour is now clearly just as bad as the Tories on Brexit, which is exacerbating the costof-living crisis, costing Scotland’s economy billions of pounds in lost trade and harming our National Health Service through increased costs and staffing shortages.

Free movement, alongside the wider benefits of European Union membership, are essential to growing Scotland’s economy, boosting living standards and supporting the staffing of our public services. As a result of Brexit, it is clear that the UK is lagging behind other countries.

The irony was that Mr Starmer’s announcement was made at the same time as a report from the Resolution Foundation found that Brexit has damaged Britain’s competitiveness and will further reduce our productivity

It is also set to leave the average worker poorer, with real pay set to be £470 per worker lower each year on average than it would otherwise have been.

Reinforcing these horrendous economic statistics, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development the UK is set to have the lowest economic growth of the G20 nations next year, except Russia.

We deserve better than this economic sabotage, and it is heartbreaking to see freedom of movement, one of the EU’s greatest achievements, stolen from Scotland despite our vote to remain.

Alex Orr. Marchmont Road, Edinburgh.

Sir Keir Starmer.