Scottish Government Debate: A Migration System that Works for Scotland

Kate Forbes S6M-17906 That the Parliament recognises the contribution to Scotland’s communities, public services and economy by those who have chosen to migrate to Scotland and build their lives here; notes that stakeholders from multiple sectors across Scotland have expressed significant concerns with the UK Government’s immigration white paper, and that proposals submitted by the Scottish Government to the Home Office were not included in the published paper; further notes that the Parliament has previously endorsed a motion calling for the development of a differentiated, more flexible migration policy, tailored to meet Scotland’s specific needs; calls on the UK Government to engage with Scottish Government officials urgently to ensure that the needs of Scotland’s businesses, public services and communities are supported, rather than harmed, by the reforms outlined in the UK immigration white paper, and further calls on the UK Government to ensure that a new youth mobility scheme is designed, with engagement from young people across the UK nations, to be as broad and inclusive as possible, restoring the greatest freedom of movement for young people as can be agreed with the EU. Liz Smith S6M-17906.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-17906 in the name of Kate Forbes (A Migration System that Works for Scotland), leave out from first “notes” to end and insert “believes that there is an important policy balance to be struck between welcoming those migrants who make significant contributions to the economic, social and cultural life of the UK, and reducing the numbers of illegal migrants who place added pressures on the welfare system and public services, and believes that the future of migration policy across the UK should reflect the specific needs of different sectors of the labour market.” Michael Marra S6M-17906.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-17906 in the name of Kate Forbes (A Migration System that Works for Scotland), leave out from first “notes” to end and insert “supports the move towards a more sustainable immigration system for the whole of the UK; regrets that the care sector has become overly dependent on low wages and exploitative working practices for migrants; believes that Scotland’s stagnant economy cannot be fixed through migration alone; calls on the Scottish Government to grow the workforce through using its devolved powers to build more housing, strengthen public transport, increase pay for social care work and incentivise skills development, and welcomes the UK Government’s deal with the EU, which includes increased trade, negotiation to rejoin Erasmus+ and co-operation on a youth experience scheme.”