Carlaw confronts Boris to relax immigration rules
Bid to help industries reliant on EU staff
SCOTTISH Tory leader Jackson Carlaw will lobby Boris Johnson to relax immigration rules to help Scotland’s farmers and hoteliers.
He will urge the Prime Minister to consider sectors which are reliant on workers from the EU.
It will be the first face-to-face meeting between the pair since Mr Carlaw was elected Scottish Conservative leader on February 14.
Insiders say the Scottish Tories are considering two proposals which they hope would boost immigration for key sectors.
The first is to extend the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) to include jobs that rely on EU workers.
The other is to create a two-year visa for EU citizens, under 30, who would work in these sectors.
A Scottish Tory source said: ‘The SOL identifies jobs which need workers from overseas. Can that be extended to take action on other sectors, in particular agriculture, care, tourism and hospitality? We’re particularly mindful about the care sector.
‘The alternative is that EU citizens, under 30, could come on a two-year visa.’
The proposals have been set out following meetings with Scots business leaders last week.
Those leaders have now urged Nicola Sturgeon and the UK Government to work together.
Tracy Black, director of CBI Scotland, said: ‘Strong engagement – and a more constructive working relationship – between the UK and Scottish Governments will be key.’
Donald Macaskill, of Scottish Care, which represents the independent care sector, said: ‘We don’t want this to become more politicised than it already is. This is not about the constitution. It’s about trying to make sure we retain our existing workforce and also attract individuals with immediacy.’
A Federation of Small Businesses spokesman said: ‘Now is the time to take the heat out of this issue and focus on how the system can practically work for Scottish businesses.’ Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has been listening to fishing, farming and business concerns about the proposed pointsbased immigration system, which will come into force next year.
SNP Migration Minister Ben Macpherson said: ‘We share the concerns businesses and others have about the UK Government’s immigration policy proposals.’
A UK Government spokesman said: ‘We’re ending free movement, taking back control of our borders and delivering a new points-based immigration system.’