Ahead of a debate in the Scottish Parliament today (Thursday), the SNP has renewed its call for immigration powers to be devolved to Scotland to address severe labour shortages in rural communities.
The debate centres around the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s rural economy, with many employers in these areas struggling to fill vital roles due to restricted immigration policies enforced by Westminster.
During her election campaign, Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie had signalled support for a tailored Scottish Visa scheme, aiming to tackle the unique workforce needs of Scotland’s rural areas, yet, since coming to power, the UK Labour government has rejected this approach outright.
Labour’s UK leader, Keir Starmer, made it clear during a visit to Scotland on Monday, stating bluntly, “No, we’re not looking at that,” dampening hopes for a distinct immigration approach to support Scottish industries.
Across Scotland, especially in rural constituencies, labour shortages are hitting both public and private sectors hard, a problem worsened by Brexit and policies set by Westminster, which Scotland did not vote for.
Backing the SNP’s call for devolved immigration powers, the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) and independent think tank Reform Scotland have highlighted the strain these shortages place on local businesses, pointing out that rural Scotland’s working-age population is already 6-7% smaller than the national average.
The SNP argues that devolving immigration policy would allow Scotland to reverse a worrying population decline and bolster economic growth, as current UK immigration arrangements are the main factor behind Scotland’s projected population decrease over the next decade.
Without changes, the SNP warns, a smaller taxpayer base could mean a heavier tax burden for remaining Scots in the future.
SNP MSP Emma Harper condemned the Prime Minister’s “flippant dismissal” of Scotland’s distinct needs, saying it reflects a deep misunderstanding of Scotland’s demographic challenges and a lack of support for rural businesses.
Harper pointed out that countries like Canada and Australia use targeted immigration policies to support their rural areas, setting an example the UK could follow if it were willing.
She added that UK Labour’s rejection of the Scottish Visa proposal was a betrayal of Scottish Labour’s pre-election promises, suggesting that Westminster politics are stifling Scotland’s potential.
While the SNP continues to advocate for the power to make Scotland-specific decisions that could support rural businesses and counter population decline, Harper accused Labour of prioritising its political agenda over the well-being of Scottish communities.
