UK Government plans to stem the flow of immigration with a “cap” on the numbers coming to Britain risks harming Scottish business and economic interests, the SNP claimed last night
MPs challenged Home Secretary Theresa May in the Commons as she announced a temporary limit on new migration from outside Europe – 5% fewer than the numbers allowed in by Labour – and proposals that would require companies bringing in immigrants to take out private health insurance for them to relieve pressure on the NHS.
SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie, MP for Dundee East, demanded consultations with the Scottish Government, Scottish Education Secretary Michael Russell and Scottish universities to ensure her crackdown did not repeat the difficulties the universities had faced recruiting world-class academic and research staff.
Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil urged her to listen to specific representations about the need for Filipino fishermen to help maintain catches to supply the fish processing industry.
SNP home affairs spokesman Pete Wishart also issued a statement, warning: “Scotland has very different population concerns from the rest of the UK and we need an immigration system that recognises these needs.
“Migrant workers fill an important gap in Scotland’s labour market, and this cap will leave many employers struggling to recruit.”
He said Scotland had “particular needs” and demanded that if a Westminster approach would not meet them “then it should pass this key responsibility to the Scottish Parliament”.
Mrs May promised full consultations with the devolved administrations and others before a permanent capped immigration regime is announced by the end of September.
She said the interim cap would limit the number of highly-skilled immigrants to last year’s level of 5,400, and the number of lesser-skilled or “tier-two” workers would be cut by 1,300 to 18,700.
Investors, entrepreneurs, in-country applicants, those on post-study work schemes, ministers of religion and elite sports men and women would be exempt.
Bosses bringing in foreign talent could be required to support apprenticeship schemes to improve training for home-grown workers, Mrs May said.
The government’s aim is to reduce immigration to tens of thousands a year from hundreds of thousands.
The interim cap has been announced to prevent a rush of immigrants before the crackdown is implemented.
The CBI said a cap was a “valid” measure to deal with pressures caused by immigration, but that it was vital the right balance was found.
Its deputy director general, John Cridland, said: “It should be designed so that very highly-skilled people who are essential to work being done in Britain can get a permit more readily.”