Scotland needs more workers - here's how we attract them

The Herald Scotland

4 days ago

But there must be a radical shift in the narrative around immigration that stops demonising those fleeing famine, persecution and war – those seeking to settle and build a better live for themselves and their families.
We need to face up to the fact that many of the conditions causing people to migrate – war, climate change, trade agreements that favour rich countries – are sustained by the very same politicians that bemoan migration.
If we want to cut migration, then we must cut global inequality. In the meantime, we'll continue to support the right of people to move and not to move.
Contrary to what political actors across the spectrum want you to believe, our public services aren't being drained by those from abroad; they're being decimated by those from within – austerity seeking, spending prudent politicians of both Holyrood and Westminster.
Last week alone, the Prime Minister is targeting those working in hospitality and fast food – the drivers and cyclists of your favourite takeaway delivery services.
Yet again, the Prime Minister misses the wider picture. In his continued attempt to reclaim the ground seized by Reform, the tough on immigration chatter highlights how migrants are forced into insecure, pitiful paid labour, exploited by companies who give them zero working rights whilst extracting sheer profit from their work.
Last week serves to highlight further that, whenever politicians want to pin the blame for their own economic failings on imported labour, we need to hit reset and examine the basic facts.
The reality is that Scotland has specific challenges, meaning that it needs more migrants, not fewer.
The number of people in Scotland aged 75 and over is projected to increase by around a third of a million people over the 25 years to mid-2047.
Over the same period, the number of children and young adults is projected to fall.
We will only maintain modest population increases if migration continues at its current rate.
It just about balances out the fall in birth rates in the UK. But even this will not solve the pending demographic crisis.
Over the past fortnight, the spotlight has fallen on the Triple Lock with Nigel Farage arguing for yet another increase in the pension age.
Hints from Government suggest that it's not off the cards.
The Office for Budget Responsibility recently said that the triple lock has already cost three times more than initially expected and suggested it was unaffordable in the long term.
The triple lock, which was introduced in 2011 by the coalition government, means the state pension increases every year in line with either inflation, wage increases or 2.5% – whichever is the highest.
Of course, affordability is as much about the money you are prepared to raise as it is to spend.
But we all need to recognise that rates of economic activity and economic growth are a key factor.
Put simply, if there aren't enough younger people working in an economy, there is too little tax being paid to sustain our folk who are retired.
Let me lay it out simply for all those who support policies like the triple lock but also want to cut migration: the two of these are not compatible. Nigel gets this.
The fact the average worker in the poorer parts of Scotland won't even live to pension age as it is now, is neither here nor there for Farage.
He is happy to sacrifice the living standards of our pensioners who have already worked their ticket to fulfil his desire to appeal to the feral instincts of the misguided minority.
Now let me be clear: inward migration should never just be about sheer economics.
It's about the provision of safe havens for those fleeing persecution from global conflicts - which are very often the result of our own foreign policy - or simply the enrichment and development of our culture through the contribution of other cultures.
But when Scottish businesses themselves are calling for greater devolution of immigration powers to the Scottish Government, with almost 70% believing that encouraging migration is 'vital' in filling skills shortages across the country, then we should all take note.
We first advocated this position a decade ago in our submission to the Smith Commission into further devolution.
Scotland has unique skills shortages that can be addressed through a tailored Scottish visa programme.
What I'm talking about here is finding a solution to the care crisis in Scotland, with overworked, mostly female social care workers being stretched to the limit due to record vacancies in the sector.
This is most acutely felt in our highlands and islands regions who already struggle to retain their staff never mind recruit more.
It also means retaining the students and staff who come to work and study at our world-leading institutions – the colleges and universities of our country.
They're more than keen to build a life in Scotland, to settle and put down roots and to give back to the institutions and communities who have welcomed them.
It would be folly to decry them of this opportunity.
It's important therefore that Whitehall doesn't just dismiss the need for a Scottish VISA on the presumption they think the SNP are scheming and politicking.
The need is great but there are important caveats. The last thing I am advocating for is the simple importation of cheap labour.
Whether it is migrant care workers on special visas, or settled migrant workers, there is an over representation in lower paid, insecure jobs that must be addressed.
Fortunately, we have a solution.
That's why we argue for a double lock. A Scottish Visa and devolution of employment law.
Working hand in hand to ensure that Scotland can plug the skills gap within its labour market and ensure workers don't find themselves ruthlessly exploited.
If businesses need to fill skills gaps and labour shortages, they must do so on decent terms and conditions.
It's not the Deliveroo drivers that are delivering economic stagnation; it's debilitating political inaction on migration that should be the main takeaway for ministers to examine.
Roz Foyer is General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress