New rules on immigration are concern
East Kilbride’s MSP insists recent UK Government plans to curb migration will be disastrous for businesses and public services in the town.
Last week, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced stricter regulations on people from outside the UK coming to work in Scotland – including a minimum salary requirement of £38,700 and a ban on care workers bringing family to the country.
MSP Collette Stevenson is concerned that these policies would be a disaster for NHS Lanarkshire and local industries who have already been hammered by the cost-ofliving crisis and Brexit.
She said:“Scotland has an ageing population, and our coveted public services rely on sustaining a strong, skilled workforce.
“If we are to continue to provide the same levels of excellent service, we need to be encouraging more people to move to Scotland, not putting up barriers in their way.
“These newly-announced measures from the Tory government are as provincial as they are dangerous and will be sure to store up serious problems down the line for NHS Lanarkshire and East Kilbride’s rural and hospitality industries.
“In contrast, the SNP Scottish Government has been clear in its open position on immigration, as outlined in their Building a New Scotland Paper, which stress the vital importance of a humane and principled migration policy after independence – which is incomparable with the hostile environment of this Tory Britain.
“Only with independence can Scotland continue to attract workers from overseas with a welcoming and forward-thinking immigration policy that ensures East Kilbride’s public services and economy stay strong for generations to come.”
In the Commons last week, Mr Cleverly announced a five-point plan to curb immigration, which he said was“far too high”.
The changes included hiking the minimum salary needed for skilled overseas workers from £26,200 to £38,700.
Mr Cleverly claimed 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK last year would not be able to in future.
In a statement to MPs, the home secretary said migration to the UK“needs to come down”and there had been“abuse”of health and care visas for years.
“Enough is enough,”Mr Cleverly said. “Immigration policy must be fair, legal, and sustainable.”
However, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said the“cruel plans spell total disaster for the NHS and social care”.