Scotland proposes new rural workers visa
IN A bid to break the immigration deadlock denying Scotland workers for its rural industries, the Scottish Parliament has proposed a bespoke rural visa pilot scheme.
Described as ‘communitydriven and employer-based’, the proposal has been jointly developed by the Scottish Government, local authorities and representatives from employers and partners based within remote and rural communities, and modelled upon the successful Canadian Atlantic Immigration Program.
But the proposal would need to be implemented by the UK Government, where the Home Office holds the reins of immigration law. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has now written to the UK Government asking it to consider the plan.
Ms Gougeon said: “The proposal sets out exactly how a bespoke immigration solution could be delivered at a local level in Scotland, now. These are interventions that can work in Scotland, just as they have worked in Canada.
“We believe that an independent Scotland would be best placed to deliver an immigration system which would meet Scotland’s needs – but employers, businesses, and communities are all telling us that actions are needed now. That is why we are calling upon the UK Government to make the required reforms to its ‘one size fits all’ immigration system with immediate effect, to avoid ongoing and further damage being done to Scotland.”
NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy welcomed the proposal: “Chronic labour shortages continue to have a profound effect on Scottish farms and the wider food production system so any steps to address this longrunning labour crisis are welcome.
“This proposal presents a community-driven, employer-based migration route targeting areas of remote, rural Scotland where population has been falling. Farming and crofting are critical ‘resilience’ industries for rural Scotland and NFUS wants its members to be able to recruit the right people with the right skills, otherwise they will be unable to sustain their businesses because of staff shortages.
“We also want the UK Government to engage with industry to review, improve, and expand the SAWP scheme and make significant changes to the Shortage Occupation List criteria to alleviate staffing shortages across the whole food sector. NFU Scotland will discuss this and other key issues facing the sector when attending the forthcoming Conservative Party Conference.”
Chair of Scottish Rural Action, Theona Morrison, said: “Rural and island communities across Scotland have demanded specific responses, and so we have been encouraged to see that the SRCIP has been designed to reflect the needs of individual communities. We hope that the UK Government considers this proposal and acts upon it in ways that support the flourishing of rural and island communities in Scotland.”
Leader of Shetland Council, Emma MacDonald, said: “Shetland has incredible economic opportunities arising over the next few years, with developments in space, energy and decommissioning emerging alongside the continued high performance of fishing, aquaculture, construction and agriculture. However, an ageing demographic and shortage of key skills means that we are experiencing real struggles in growing our industries and maintaining key services, threatening economic prosperity and the potential for growth. The proposed rural visa pilot will recognise the pressing need for bespoke measures to address these challenges in rural areas.”