Rennie warns ‘Cut to immigration poses direct threat to our economy’

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has warned a cut to immigration post-brexit poses a “direct threat” to the economy.

In a speech in Edinburgh, he said businesses relying on seasonal workers and universities were already feeling the effects of the decision to leave the European Union.

Mr Rennie said the UK government had a duty to explain the impact of an expected cut to immigration on the economy.

Addressing the Scottish Centre on European Relations and Edinburgh University’s 0 Willie Rennie: ‘Westminster has a duty to explain’ Europa Institute, he said: “EU citizens from Poland, Bulgaria and Romania are going home and many will just not come back next year.

“The berry fields of Tayside and Fife were short of the seasonal pickers they needed, the vegetable growers are struggling to get the staff they need, the hotels and cafes are feeling the pinch.

“Companies have tried to recruit from Scotland but without success. Anyone who tells you we can simply replace seasonal pickers from eastern Europe with workers from east Fife has been eating too much broccoli.

“Even if the pound recovers, even if the weather improves, even if Scotland gets geographically closer to Bulgaria it will still take years to recover from the impression that Britain doesn’t want any foreigners in our country.”