Immigration reform poses ‘opportunity’

● Experts predict sunshine after the rain

Controversial immigration system changes could create a fresh “crisis” for Scotland’s tourism and hospitality firms – but may also offer benefits in the long term, experts have claimed.

One leading figure said that businesses should respond to cuts to the number of foreign workers by “reinvigorating” themselves through improved training, standards and pay, in order to attract more young Scots.

David Whiteford, chairman of the North Highland Initiative, which was behind the hugely successful North Coast 500 driving route, said there were “undoubtedly” concerns about the impact of the new restrictions.

But he added: “I always want to turn an opportunity out of a crisis and I think this could absolutely do that.”

Further details of the UK Government’s new points-based system sparked a row this week amid concern that care home workers, and people in other low-paid professions, would no longer qualify for visas.

Under the plans, people who want to live and work in the UK will need to gain 70 points to be eligible to apply for a visa.

Points will be awarded for key requirements such as being able to speak English to a certain level and having a job offer from an approved employer.

The Scottish Tourism Alliance has previously warned that the sector, already struggling as a result of the pandemic, would face even worse recruitment problems if the policy was approved.

Inverness-based economist Tony Mackay said he had “mixed feelings” about the proposed change.

“I believe that in the short run it will create significant economic problems but in the long run there could be some welcome benefits,” he said.

“There are currently a lot of foreign workers in Scotland who contribute substantially to the economy.

“The best example is probably the oil and gas industry; others include tourism and hospitality, health and social care, and fruit and veg picking.

“I do not anticipate any significant problems for the local oil and gas industry because most of the foreign workers are very skilled and will meet the UK Government’s requirements.

“However, the other industries will certainly face problems because many of their workers will not meet the skill and possibly English language requirement.”

Mr Mackay believed the short-term pain could prove to be beneficial in the future.

“We have become too dependent on cheap labour from overseas,” he said.

“In that context the new system could have benefits.”

Meanwhile, Mr Whiteford said there were “undoubtedly” concerns about the impact of the changes on hospitality businesses, and urged them to make preparations.

“We need to reinvigorate hospitality as being a career for our young here, because we’ve relied on others to do it for us, and we’ve never given it the credit, as an industry, that it deserves, and we don’t value the people that work in it well enough,” he said.

David Whiteford

Tony Mackay