SNP are scaremongering over immigration says Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Donald Cameron, said: “I believe local people would prefer it if SNP politicians focused on working with the UK Government. That surely is better than scaremongering.”

He described the recent warnings about labour shortages in key sectors in the Islands as “scaremongering”.

The Conservative MSP was reacting to the assessement of an independent expert group that the UK’s proposed new immigration system could halve the number of people coming to Scotland.

The research estimates that migrant workers would be barred from 68.7% of jobs in the Western Isles under Westminster proposals.

Meaning the islands would be affected worse than any other local authority area in the country.

According to previous analysis by the Expert Advisory Group, 53% of roles filled by employees in Scotland earn less than £25,000 (the proposed salary threshold), including up to 90% of jobs in the care sector.

This information was highlighted by Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan, who said: “The COVID-19 crisis has clearly demonstrated the UK’s reliance on key workers who have come to Scotland from all over the world.

“It should now be beyond doubt that people working in the roles which the Tories describe as ‘lower-skilled’ are absolutely vital to our communities.

“The islands are facing a demographic crisis and sustained inward migration is a critical necessity.

“But despite the clear evidence, the Tories seem utterly determined to back Boris Johnson’s closed-minded plans which will be immeasurably damaging to the Western Isles and Scotland as a whole.

“We need the power to attract and retain the workers we need to fund our public services, and allow our economy to flourish.”

In challenging that view, Mr Cameron told the Gazette: “Covid-19 will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the local economy, but thanks to the UK Government, 2,600 local jobs have been protected through the furlough scheme, and 900 self-employed workers have been supported through this crisis.

“This is an unprecedented level of support and shows what we are capable of when we deploy the resources of our country in the face of a common challenge, as we have so often done in the past.

“Frankly, I believe local people would prefer it if SNP politicians focused on working with the UK Government. That surely is better than scaremongering.”