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Western Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Immigration no ‘quick-fix' for aging population, says Bowie
Shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie described high immigration north of the border as a 'pyramid scheme response' to an aging population, as working-age migrants become old themselves 'and perpetuate the same crisis again and again'. National Records of Scotland figures forecast that the country's population aged 75 or older will grow by 341,300 between mid-2022 and mid-2047, but the number of children aged 15 or younger is expected to fall by 79,900. More Stories The SNP's Pete Wishart claimed that the Westminster Government had used 'social engineering' to lower Scotland's birth rate by keeping the two-child cap on benefits in place. The cap means that families can claim benefits such as Universal Credit for up to two children, and there is usually no uplift for additional children. MPs ran out of time to vote on the Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill, which Stephen Gethins proposed to remove 'immigration, including asylum' from the list of reserved matters which lie under Westminster's control. Mr Bowie told the Commons: 'Proposed immigration as a quick-fix for declining population I'm afraid is wrong-headed and indeed short-sighted. High immigration to solve low birth rates and an aging population is a pyramid scheme response. 'Working-age immigrants initially slow the growth of the age dependency ratio, however, will in turn age and perpetuate the same crisis again and again, and whilst nations across the developed world are faced with the myriad of issues an aging population presents, the Scottish National Party should be more focused on support for working families, improving the economic outlook and prosperity, rather than proposing unfettered immigration.' The Conservative shadow minister said the SNP should strive for Scotland to become the 'lowest tax' part of the UK 'and see what that has when it comes to attracting people north of the border'. Mr Bowie said he was 'sure there is' an SNP elected politician who had proposed 'unfettered immigration', when Dave Doogan, the party's MP for Angus and Perthshire Glens, challenged him to 'identify' one. Mr Wishart had earlier said: 'The simple fact is that Scotland needs more working age people to refresh our population and if we do not get that we are going to be in serious, serious trouble. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray arrives in Downing Street, London, for a Cabinet meeting (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'Now this is happening all around the world. But what this Government is doing with this Brexit is getting in the way and making the issue worse. 'And you know something else that they're doing, they are, with their falling birth rate, they are actually trying to suppress our birth rate by the social engineering use of the benefits system to deny benefits to working class parties who are seeking to have large families. 'It is the very point at where we should be doing everything to encourage more children. They are actively trying to suppress it through social engineering using the benefits system.' He added: 'This Government is making our situation and condition ten times worse by the inept, clumsy, callous and heinous attempt to socially engineer the benefits system to suppress our birth rate, at the very time when we need more children. We need larger families.' The MP for Perth and Kinross-shire praised former prime minister Sir Tony Blair's government, which he said 'opened up Eastern Europe through accession which helped our issues in Scotland'. Mr Gethins, the SNP MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, described his private member's Bill as 'a way of offsetting some of the damage that's been done by a hostile environment, by Brexit'. He said he was 'very open to this being amended', if the Bill is able to progress. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray told the House: 'Migration has to come down. That's the Prime Minister and this Government's view, because it's too high. 'And the reason it has to come down, and this goes right to the heart of some of the big issues in Scotland and the moment, this Scottish Government don't want to talk about it and this SNP Government don't want to talk about – nearly one in six young people in Scotland are neither in education, employment or training. 'We have shipyards in Scotland that build the very best ships in the world employing Filipino and South African welders, and those South African and Filipino welders look from the top of those ships into some of the poorest communities in Scotland and the United Kingdom where there's a huge number of young people not in education, employment or training, and we need to do something about that.' Mr Murray urged a focus on 'workforce planning and skills', and said a consequence of devolving asylum policy to legislators in Edinburgh could be to have 'checks in both directions' with different rules either side of the Scottish border. The debate ended without a vote and was adjourned until July 11.
The Herald Scotland
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Sarwar urged to back Scottish visa to boost economy
The SNP has long argued that there should be more generous visa rules for Scotland because it relies on migration for population growth citing other states, including Canada as having a a "differentiated" immigration system for provinces based on local needs. In 2020, in the wake of Brexit, which was expected to lower immigration to the UK, Nicola Sturgeon's government published a paper arguing for some devolution of immigration policy to Scotland. READ MORE: Minister says opinion polls will determine if border referendum is called Scottish peer leads campaign to stop Donald Trump addressing Parliament Jackie Baillie: Labour open to talks over Scottish visa It argued that 'Scotland is more reliant on migration than elsewhere in the UK' and noted that the population of Scotland would be falling if not for migration from the rest of the UK and overseas. The SNP has championed a positive message on immigration arguing people from overseas can help fill vacancies and with more people paying income tax help generate revenue for public services. A separate immigration system for Scotland has been supported by the think tank Reform Scotland, chaired by former Labour first minister Lord McConnell, who introduced measures allowing overseas students to live in Scotland for a period after graduation. Mr Gethins, who is the MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, has written to the Scottish Labour leader to ask for his MPs' support for the the Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill ahead of a vote in the Commons on Friday. SNP MP Stephen Gethins (Image: Newsquest) In his letter, Mr Gethins said the second reading is an 'opportunity' to work 'together' on creating a Scottish visa and immigration system that works north of the Border. He wrote: 'You will know that Scottish industries and the higher education sector are supportive of an immigration system that will keep our economy and our industries competitive and at the cutting edge of innovation. "We know from the UK Treasury's own analysis that Brexit has hammered our economy, but Scotland also faces a unique demographic challenge, with both the overall population and the working age population projected to decline. 'For far too long, Westminster has made UK-wide immigration policy that doesn't work for Scotland and I know that you recognise this, having previously acknowledged the need for a 'bespoke solution' for Scotland. 'Prior to the general election, both you and [Scottish Labour deputy leader] Jackie Baillie signalled a UK Labour government would be open to talks on a Scottish visa. Jackie Baillie said discussions made 'common sense', while you said you had already held discussions with the Home Secretary. 'This was a commitment also made by - [former Conservative minister] Michael Gove prior to the EU referendum, who understood the challenges that taking us out of the EU would cause Scottish sectors. In this he has been proved right, but like in other areas he failed to deliver. 'In presenting this proposal, I am putting forward a suggestion that has been supported by other political parties, stakeholders and the leading think-tank Reform Scotland and it is my hope you will instruct Scottish Labour MPs to rise above party politics and back our Bill in the interests of Scotland's economy.' The Labour manifesto promised to bring 'joined-up thinking, ensuring that migration to address skills shortages triggers a plan to upskill workers and improve working conditions in the UK'. However, Scottish Labour and the UK government do not support the introduction of a Scottish-specific visa. Responding to the letter, a Scottish Labour spokesperson said: 'The needs of our economy are different across the regions and nations, and different sectors have different needs. "Labour has always said that we will ensure that our migration and skills policy work for every part of the UK. "A Scottish Labour government will work with the UK government to design workforce plans for different sectors and ensure Scotland's needs are met."
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
The SNP pitch to Labour's Anas Sarwar to support a Scottish Visa Bill
Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The SNP has written to Anas Sarwar urging him to endorse a Scottish Visa bill that will go before the Commons on Friday. Brought by SNP MP Stephen Gethins, the Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill has secured a surprise second reading, with the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry MP now writing to the Scottish Labour leader asking for his support. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Protestors block an immigration enforcement van, stopping it from leaving Glasgow's Kenmure Street in Nicola Sturgeon's constituency in May 2021. Picture: JeffIn a letter seen by The Scotsman, Mr Gethins claims the second reading is an 'opportunity' to work 'together' on creating a Scottish visa and immigration system that works north of the Border. He wrote: 'You will know that Scottish industries and the higher education sector are supportive of an immigration system that will keep our economy and our industries competitive and at the cutting edge of innovation. We know from the UK Treasury's own analysis that Brexit has hammered our economy, but Scotland also faces a unique demographic challenge, with both the overall population and the working age population projected to decline. 'For far too long, Westminster has made UK-wide immigration policy that doesn't work for Scotland and I know that you recognise this, having previously acknowledged the need for a 'bespoke solution' for Scotland. 'Prior to the general election, both you and [Scottish Labour deputy leader] Jackie Baillie signalled a UK Labour government would be open to talks on a Scottish visa. Jackie Baillie said discussions made 'common sense', while you said you had already held discussions with the Home Secretary. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This was a commitment also made by Michael Gove prior to the EU referendum, who understood the challenges that taking us out of the EU would cause Scottish sectors. In this he has been proved right, but like in other areas he failed to deliver. 'In presenting this proposal, I am putting forward a suggestion that has been supported by other political parties, stakeholders and the leading think-tank Reform Scotland and it is my hope you will instruct Scottish Labour MPs to rise above party politics and back our Bill in the interests of Scotland's economy.' Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour do not support a Scottish Visa | Jane Barlow/Press Association Mr Gethins said he was willing to negotiate on the issue and work with colleagues from 'across the political spectrum' to see the Bill pass. Immigration is not a devolved issue, with those wanting to move to Scotland from abroad subject to the same Home Office rules as those looking to emigrate to the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The number of births in Scotland fell to its lowest ever recorded level in 2023, with only migration driving any forecasts for population growth. The number of overseas students at Scottish universities separately plummeted by more than 10,000 last year, in a sign of the challenge for the higher education sector. The Labour manifesto promised to bring 'joined-up thinking, ensuring that migration to address skills shortages triggers a plan to upskill workers and improve working conditions in the UK'. However, Scottish Labour and the UK government do not support the introduction of a Scottish-specific visa. Sources argue there are already opportunities for Scotland-specific needs to be added to the occupations included on the UK skilled worker visa route. Responding to the letter, a Scottish Labour spokesperson said: 'The needs of our economy are different across the regions and nations, and different sectors have different needs. "Labour has always said that we will ensure that our migration and skills policy work for every part of the UK.
