Keith Brown MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency, has described recent Tory plans to curb migration as “petty, small-minded and dangerous” with serious implications for businesses and public services, like our NHS and care sector.

This week, the Tory government at Westminster announced stricter regulations on people from outside the UK coming to work in Scotland – including a minimum salary requirement of £38,700, and a ban on care workers bringing family to the country. Last night they voted to give a second reading to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum & Immigration) Bill, despite it placing the UK in danger of breaching international law.

Speaking this afternoon, Keith said:

“Scotland has an aging population, and our public services rely on sustaining a strong, skilled workforce if we are to continue to provide the same levels of excellent service – we need to be opening the door to encourage more people to move to Scotland, not slamming it in their faces. 

“And, just last night Westminster voted to continue the farce of the Tories’ repugnant, unworkable and illegal Rwanda Bill.

“These anti-immigration measures from the Tory government are petty, small-minded and dangerous and I have no doubt that they are storing up serious problems down the line for Health & Social Care, the hospitality industry and many other sectors in my Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency.

“In contrast, the SNP Scottish Government has been clear in its open position on immigration, as outlined in their Building a New Scotland Paper, which stresses the vital importance of a humane and principled migration policy after independence – which is a world away from the hostile environment of this Tory Britain.  

“Only with independence can Scotland hope to attract the workers from overseas that we need.  A welcoming and forward-thinking immigration policy that shows heart and ensures our local public services and economy stay strong for generations to come.”