‘No evidence’ that Scottish immigration deal will work
There is “no evidence” that a separate deal on immigration for Scotland after the UK leaves the EU would work, the Home Secretary has said. Amber Rudd announced a major assessment of migration from the European Union by the Migration Advisory Committee to help develop the post-brexit immigration system on a visit to Troon yesterday.
Asked whether this could lead to a separate Scottish policy, she said: “We have not seen evidence of that working in any way.”
Senior SNP figures have said there are “acute risks” to the Scottish economy if there is a fall in the number of EU nationals working north of the Border.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said yesterday there was “no evidence” to suggest that a separate Scottish deal on immigration after Brexit would work. Ms Rudd made her remarks despite SNP politicians arguing for a bespoke immigration policy north of the Border.
On a visit to Troon, the Home Secretary announced a major assessment of migration from the European Union by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to help develop the post-brexit immigration system.
But when asked by the BBC if that could lead to a separate Scottish policy, she said: “We have not seen evidence of that working in any way, but we have asked the MAC to make sure that they look at the whole of the country and the whole of the Union to see what will work best.”
When pressed on the merits of a bespoke deal, she answered: “It has not been specifically set out by the MAC but we have asked them to look at different areas of the country.”
Senior figures in the SNP have argued for a Scottish specific deal on the grounds there are “acute risks” to the Scottish economy if there is a fall in the number of EU nationals working north of the Border.
The Home Secretary said the Scottish Government would be expected to contribute to the MAC assessment.
She said: “It’s going to invite people to submit their views across the whole of the country and then we will listen to what the evidence is, what the essence and value is, the positive elements and challenges of immigration from the EU across the whole country.”
The study will focus on patterns of migration from Europe, considering factors including regional distribution, skill levels and seasonal workers, and will produce interim reports before the final analysis in September 2018.
Writing to Professor Alan Manning, chairman of the MAC, the Home Secretary will say that under a future system “we will be able to apply different immigration rules and requirements according to the UK’S economic and social needs”.
Junior Brexit minister Robin Walker said Scotland’s interests would be heard “loud and clear” in the new immigration system.
But ministers faced questions over the length of time between the referendum in June last year and the request to the MAC.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Sir Ed Davey said: “The government needs to explain why this study wasn’t commissioned a year ago, directly after the referendum. The NHS, businesses and universities that depend on European citizens need answers.”