‘Scottish visa will secure prosperity’
Stirling’s SNP MSP has backed proposals for a new‘Scottish visa’to address depopulation and cut skills gaps in the Stirling area as a result of Brexit.
Under plans announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, migrants who want to live in Scotland could choose to apply for a Scottish visa, or one of the existing immigration routes offered by the UK government.
Mr Crawford says that without migration, communities across Stirling could face a “demographic crisis” that could hammer public services like the NHS.
Mr Crawford said: “Brexit, and the end of freedom of movement, poses a huge risk to our economy and public services in the Stirling area.
“It is vital for Stirling’s future prosperity that we continue to attract people to live and work here. Migrants make hugely valuable contributions to our economy, public services, and communities – and that must continue.
“These sensible Scottish Government proposals, in line with other regional migration systems such as in Canada and Australia, would give us the ability to create a system which secures the future prosperity of the Stirling area.”
To mark Britain’s exit from the European Union, pro-EU campaign group Stirling4Europe is holding a demonstration at the roundel at the bottom of King Street on Friday. The rally will be held from 4pm until 6pm.
From 4pm people are invited to bring a light and to write a message to Europe. From 5pm, there will be a number of brief speeches from speakers, including include Alyn Smith MP, Mark Ruskell MSP, Liberal Democrat General Election candidate Fayzan Rehman and Alenka Jelen-Sanchez, a European resident in Scotland.