Immigration rules may block Scots’ family members on lower wages
Expat Scots could face new barriers in bringing family members back to Scotland with them if they choose to return after Brexit, the Scottish Government has warned.
Existing rules on returning UK nationals will end on 29 March, 2022, and, according to the UK Government, relatives will then have to return using the new immigration rules, which include a £30,000 earnings threshold for skilled workers.
The UK Government proposals, published this month, include making UK citizens apply to bring non-uk family members through domestic immigration legislation.
Although there will be a three-year transition during which UK citizens in the EU will still be able to rely on freedom of movement, any nonuk family members who enter through this route will need to apply for settled status to stay in the UK.
As part of the proposals, a threshold of £30,000 would be set for skilled workers – a scheme which the government claims will “favour experience and talent over nationality”.
However, there have been calls for the threshold to be reduced to come into line with the lower average annual wage in Scotland, estimated to be around £24,000.
The Scottish Government’s migration minister, Ben Macpherson, said UK citizens living in the EU deserved guarantees about their rights to return home with family members after Brexit.
“The Stay in Scotland campaign launched by the First Minister earlier this month made clear how much the Scottish Government values the contributions made by EU citizens living and working in Scotland,” he said.
“Of course the negative consequences of the UK Government’s planned exit from the EU also extend to the rights of UK citizens living in other member states, and I am particularly concerned about the implications for those who hope to return to Scotland with their families in the future.
“Under UK Government proposals, due to come into effect in 2022, someone with a nonuk national spouse and children will no longer be allowed to return to Scotland with his or her family unless strict financial thresholds are met. This is unfair.
“I do not accept that someone’s ability to return to Scotland should be judged through arbitrary financial requirements that do not take into account individual and often compassionate circumstances. The UK Government must seriously reconsider their proposals.
“Scots who want to return to Scotland from elsewhere in the EU should be able to bring their families with them, no matter how much they earn.”
A spokesman for the Home Office said: “We understand that families need to be able to plan with confidence, which is why we have put in place a three-year transition period, after which family reunion rights for all UK nationals in the UK and abroad will be aligned.
“To understand the specific needs of the whole of the UK, we are engaging with stakeholders, business, the Scottish Government and the public throughout 2019 before the system is finalised.”
Colin Clark, the Conservative MP for Gordon, said: “We are working with the Home Office on these proposals and looking closely at how the changes would impact upon Scots at home and abroad.
“There is an ongoing process of consultation on these plans, which includes input from the Scottish Government.”
Opponents ‘running scared’ of Scottish indy debate, declares key SNP leader ahead of conference
The depute leader of the SNP has accused opposition parties of “running scared” of independence.
Speaking ahead of the SNP conference in Edinburgh next weekend, Keith Brown said the Tories and Labour were both failing to offer a positive vision to voters.
Mr Brown also claimed his party have often been the “only adults in the room” at Westminster during Brexit talks.
“The SNP head into this week’s conference on the back of increasing support and a determination to do everything we can to protect Scotland’s interests and present a positive, optimistic and outward-looking vision for Scotland,” Mr Brown said.
“Since 2016, across Westminster, the SNP have often been the only adults in the
room, the only party focused on offering a serious, sensible way forward out of the Brexit mess.
“The Scottish Tories have completely sold out Scotland’s interests over Brexit and are happy to let Westminster do whatever they want to Scotland.
“Meanwhile, Labour are quietly signing up to deliver a Tory Brexit – against the wishes of the people of Scotland and without putting the issue back to the people.
“Labour and the Tories no longer have a positive vision to offer the people of Scotland. They are running scared of any debate over Scotland’s future, especially one that would see more decisions about Scotland taken in Scotland.”
A spokesman for Scottish Labour said: “This is a distraction from the real and serious problems Scotland faces – a low-pay economy, exhausted public services and one in four children living in poverty.
“Labour has a plan worth £70 billion of investment in Scotland, with more democratic control of our economy and improving public services.
“Meanwhile, the SNP don’t know what currency Scotland would use outside the UK and have no answer to the unprecedented austerity it would bring.”
Plans for a new Scottish currency under independence will be among issues to dominate the SNP’S spring conference starting on Saturday.
Professor John Kay, who sits on the First Minister’s Standing Council on Europe, has poured cold water on the plans, saying it is “very hard to see large advantages of actually having a distinct currency”.
Scottish Conservative chief whip Maurice Golden said: “It speaks volumes that the SNP only want to talk about independence on a day when we learn that the number of Scottish pupils leaving school without a qualification is on the rise.
“Most people want to move on from endless debates on the constitution, but the SNP just won’t let it go.
“Scotland faces years more of the SNP putting its obsession with independence above all else.
“Instead, we can have a fresh government led by Ruth Davidson, getting on with making Scotland a better place for everyone.”