SNP Conference has backed a resolution calling for the immediate
devolution of migration powers, to give Scotland the ability to
plug labour shortages in key sectors of the economy.
The motion, passed by acclaim, noted the troubling reports of
chronic shortages of seasonal staff in the agricultural sector
this year which has meant tonnes of fresh produce being left to
rot in fields.
Not only does this impact upon supply chains and livelihoods of
food producers, it is putting the international reputation of
Scottish food and drink at risk.
Growth in Scotland’s tourism sector is threatened by the
challenge in recruiting seasonal staff, who have been deterred
from coming to Scotland in the wake of the EU referendum due to
growing uncertainty.
Last month the Tories announced a paltry 2,500 visas would be
available across the whole UK under a new seasonal workers
scheme. It is estimated that fruit and vegetable sector in Angus
alone requires twice this number – with around 100,000 workers
required UK-wide.
SNP Conference has warned of the “grave, far-reaching and
long-lasting consequences” for communities across Scotland and
key sectors of the economy if Westminster withholds the
devolution of these powers from the Scottish Parliament.
Commenting, said:
“SNP Conference has sent a clear message to the UK government –
we need powers over migration devolved to Holyrood and we need
that guarantee now.
“We need to be able to attract people with the right skills to
work in our economy, to plug the labour shortages we experienced
this year and to avoid more economic damage.
“Whether it’s the soft fruit sector or Scotland’s thriving
tourism industry, we need to be able to attract workers here to
keep driving our economy forwards.
“The paltry measures promised so far by the Tories are just a
sticking plaster. In fact, all they demonstrate is Westminster’s
chronic misunderstanding of the Brexit mess they’ve created.
2,500 workers’ visas for the whole of the UK is nothing like a
serious solution to the major challenges we face.
“It’s high time the Scottish Parliament got the powers over
immigration – so we can build a system that works for Scotland,
based on the needs of key sectors, our communities and our
economy.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
SEASONAL WORKERS
Conference notes the troubling reports of the damage already
being done to the economy from Brexit due to a lack of seasonal
workers coming to Scotland this year and recognises the acute
impact this has had upon the soft fruit sector, leading to tonnes
of fresh producing being left rotting in the fields.
Conference notes the wider impact across a wide variety of
sectors that have relied heavily upon free movement and seasonal
labour for many years, particularly the agriculture and tourism
industries in rural Scotland.
Conference demands the immediate devolution of powers over
migration so that Scotland can take decisions over immigration
based upon our own economic interests and warns that failure to
deliver these powers to the Scottish Parliament could have grave,
far reaching and long-lasting consequences for communities
throughout the country and key sectors of our economy.
