Extract from Scottish Parliament question time: Government Business and Constitutional Relations - Jun 13

Brexit (Impact on Immigration)

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP): I wonder whether the minister has seen the NFU Scotland news release dated 4 June, which is headed, “Shortage Occupation List Review Falls Short on Industry Labour Requirements”. That applies to the requirements not only of the agricultural sector but to those of other sectors. The news release states:

“While the Review notes issues raised by NFU Scotland and others, it has produced no practical suggestions on how to resolve them.”

President Andrew McCornick is quoted as saying that the Migration Advisory Committee’s report

“does nothing to address existing or future post-Brexit labour requirements”.

Does the minister have any thoughts on that?

The Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development (Ben Macpherson): Absolutely, I do. NFU Scotland is right to be concerned about current and future migration policy. The MAC’s review of the shortage occupation list related to the current system, which covers only graduate roles. Although it was never going to provide all the answers to the sector’s needs, the return of vets to the shortage occupation list is a welcome step.

I welcome the acknowledgement by the MAC, the Home Secretary and the Scottish Conservatives that the current immigration system is not working for all parts of the UK, but it is incredibly frustrating that, overall, the MAC and the UK Government continue to disregard the concerns that have been raised by key Scottish stakeholders, such as the NFUS. It is also evident from what the MAC has produced that the shortage occupation list is not a panacea.