Keir Starmer is facing mounting calls to publish a full assessment of how the UK Labour government’s new migration policies will affect Scotland’s economy and public services, with fears growing over the consequences for the NHS and social care.
The SNP’s economy spokesperson, Dave Doogan MP, has written to the Prime Minister urging him to come clean with voters and spell out the damage the proposals will cause to Scotland’s already stretched health and care sectors.
Industry leaders have already sounded the alarm, warning that plans to restrict migrant worker recruitment could be devastating for key frontline services and the businesses that underpin Scotland’s economy.
Among the most vocal critics is Scottish Care, the body representing Scotland’s independent social care sector, which has warned that removing the dedicated care visa route would be “profoundly damaging”.
Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care, delivered a stark message, calling the UK Government’s stance on immigration “hostile and dehumanising”, and accusing it of ignoring Scotland’s unique demographic challenges.
He said scrapping the visa would be “reckless” and “irresponsible”, putting not just services, but lives and entire communities at risk.
Scotland’s care sector, which is already dealing with major staffing shortages, relies heavily on international recruitment to maintain essential services.
Macaskill said what Scotland needs is an immigration policy shaped by its own needs, not one driven by short-term Westminster politics.
The backlash has intensified because the promises made by Scottish Labour ahead of the UK general election now appear to be unravelling.
During the campaign, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he supported a Scottish visa and backed devolving immigration powers as “common-sense”.
He insisted migration was vital to Scotland’s health and care services and claimed to be in discussions with senior Labour figures, including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, about ways to reflect Scotland’s distinct needs.
But just weeks ago, Scottish Labour MPs helped block a proposal brought forward by SNP MP Stephen Gethins that would have done exactly that create a Scottish visa route and devolve immigration powers to Holyrood.
That decision has sparked accusations of broken promises and left many in the care sector wondering how the UK Government expects services to survive the fallout of these restrictions.
The SNP is demanding answers, and they’re not alone.
There is growing consensus among professionals across healthcare, social care and the wider economy that Scotland cannot afford to be dragged along by a one-size-fits-all policy from Westminster.
Now the pressure is on Starmer to publish the facts, listen to the voices on the ground, and reconsider a migration policy that critics say is not just misguided, but dangerous.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, SNP Economy spokesperson Dave Doogan MP states:
“Dear Sir Keir,
“I am writing to request that you immediately publish a full and detailed UK government impact assessment of the damage the Labour Party’s hostile migration plans will do to Scotland’s NHS and our economy.
“Since you outlined your plans on Monday, there has been a widespread backlash from NHS and social care services – and from key sectors across the Scottish and UK economies.
“There is real concern that the Labour government’s plans are a clear danger to Scotland’s NHS and social care services, businesses and economic growth – and that they will leave families and communities across Scotland worse off.
“It is essential that you are honest with voters and spell out, in detail, the devastating impact the evidence shows your plans will inflict on Scottish public services, Scottish businesses – and those across the UK.
“Our NHS and care sector, public services and businesses have already been hit hard by the Labour government’s National Insurance jobs tax hike and Brexit policies, which have increased costs, caused staffing shortages and reduced economic growth.
“They will now be dealt another hammer blow from the Labour government’s hostile migration policies, which will likely cause a crisis in social care and long-term damage to the economy.
“When you ran for the Labour Party leadership, you promised “we welcome migrants, we don’t scapegoat them… we have to make the case for the benefits of migration”.
“But just like the many other broken promises you made, that pledge now lies in tatters as you shamelessly imitate Nigel Farage and lurch to the right.
“In a speech reminiscent of Enoch Powell, you outlined policies that will actively damage Scotland’s public services, our businesses and the prosperity of our economy.
“The only person who will benefit from your damaging migration plan is Nigel Farage – who, it seems, is already in control of the UK government and calling the shots at Westminster.
“Far from being an ‘island of strangers’ as your xenophobic dog whistle language would have us believe, Scotland’s diverse communities have been built on the contribution of migrants from all over the world. We welcome and value the contribution they make to boosting our economy, improving our public services, and enriching our society.
“In contrast, the thing many people in Scotland find increasingly unrecognisable is the Labour Party, which has broken its promises, imposed damaging austerity cuts and tax hikes, and is now morphing into a Nigel Farage tribute act.
“Scotland must not be treated as an afterthought by this Labour government – and our economic interests, needs and values must not be sidelined.
“I assume you wouldn’t have announced these hostile migration policies without undertaking a full and detailed assessment of the impact they will have on Scotland and the UK. If you still stand by them, you should have no problem publishing a full impact assessment without delay.
“I look forward to your swift response.
“Yours for Scotland,
“Dave Doogan MP
SNP Economy spokesperson”
