IMMIGRATION proposals from Westminster’s two largest parties are “threatening Scotland’s economy and public services”, according to the SNP.
The Tories pledged yesterday to cut immigration through the introduction of a points-based system, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has suggested his party would block moves to devolve immigration powers to Scotland.
SNP immigration spokesperson Stuart McDonald said the Westminster parties risk reducing Scotland’s working-age population, sparking staffing shortages in the NHS and damaging the economy as a whole.
The Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East MP said: “The Tories and Labour are threatening Scotland’s economy and public services with their damaging hostile migration policies, which could send Scotland’s working-age population into decline, cause staffing shortages in the NHS and key sectors, and leave the whole country poorer and worse off – a price Scotland must not be forced to pay.
“Westminster has proven itself utterly incapable of acting in Scotland’s interests.
“At this crucial election, only a vote for the SNP is a vote to escape Brexit and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands – so we can deliver a fairer, more equal and prosperous society.”
McDonald said SNP MPs would continue to push for control of immigration to be transferred to Holyrood.
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“A strong team of SNP MPs will champion Scotland’s interests, protect our freedom of movement rights, and demand the powers to build a tailored migration system designed to meet our specific needs – and deliver huge benefits for our economy, society and culture,” he added.
“A Scotland-specific migration policy will allow us to prioritise what our economy and society needs – rather than having to abide by wreckless Tory and Labour plans that could cost our economy £10 billion a year.
“The SNP will not stand for Westminster’s damaging policies and the demonisation of migrants.”
Setting out their proposals ahead of the December 12 General Election, the Tories vowed to “reduce immigration overall” while abandoning a long-standing commitment to get net migration down below 100,000 a year.
Security Minister Brandon Lewis told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We are not setting some arbitrary target.
“We want to introduce a new points-based system that is fair and equal to the entire world. That gives us control and we can then see immigration being reduced.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “We will reduce immigration overall while being more open and flexible to the highly skilled people we need, such as scientists and doctors.”
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