Tory immigration plans ‘spell disaster’ for Western Isles
The UK Tory government’s controversial points-based immigration plan risks devastating businesses and causing long-term harm to public services in the Western Isles, according to Na h-Eileanan an Iar MSP Alasdair Allan.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to block most European workers from entering the UK has already come in for a barrage of criticism from employers and industry leaders.
Bosses at the Scottish Seafood Association, the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, Scottish Care and the Scottish Tourism Alliance have all criticised the new immigration proposals, while a cross-party report by Holyrood’s Finance Committee previously warned that demographic changes could pose risks to Scottish public spending, and the ability to fund the NHS, if Scotland does not have powers to grow its population.
Now, Dr Allan has renewed calls for immigration powers to be handed to Holyrood – and says the SNP’s proposals for a ‘Scottish visa’ are gaining the backing of a wide range of expert organisations.
‘These immigration plans could be disastrous for the islands.
‘Important sectors of our economy such as seafood and tourism are reliant on migrant workers from Europe,’ he said.
‘We already have the preposterous situation – repeatedly raised in Westminster by Angus MacNeil MP – of fishing vessels on the west coast tied up due to a lack of crew. These plans will make a bad situation worse.
‘Scotland faces demographic challenges as our population gets older.
‘Nowhere are those challenges more stark than in the Western Isles, where our working age population is set to decrease by 17 per cent over the next decade.
‘We need the power to attract and retain the workers; we need to staff our public services and businesses, and support our economy.
‘It’s now absolutely vital that the political parties and industry leaders come together to back the SNP’s plans for a tailored migration system which works for Scotland and the islands.’
‘Nowhere are those challenges more stark than in Western Isles’