ANAS Sarwar has been told his Westminster bosses “don’t want to hear it” after his calls for a tailored immigration system to suit Scotland were again slapped down by the UK Government.
Labour’s immigration minister Seema Malhotra this week failed to confirm whether she has been in talks with the Scottish Labour leader over separate migration policies for Scotland – despite his previous claims.
During a Westminster Hall debate on Monday, SNP MP Seamus Logan (below) asked the minister whether Sarwar was “in discussions with the Government regarding a bespoke Scottish visa”.
Sarwar previously told The House magazine that he had had “a number of conversations with [Home Secretary] Yvette Cooper and UK colleagues” about the “different migration needs in different parts of the country”, something he claimed they recognised.
He also expressed a desire to see the Fresh Talent scheme – which gave foreign graduates of Scottish universities a visa to remain in the country to work – revisited.
But Malhotra said only that she was “in contact with a number of our Scottish members of Parliament as well as other colleagues in the Scottish Parliament” and did not confirm whether she had discussed the matter with Sarwar.
Sarwar has attempted to tread a fine line on the immigration question, previously saying that there must be “one immigration system” for the whole of the UK, while also raising suggestions that there could be special measures for Scotland to fill vacancies in key sectors.
Proponents of a tailored approach to migration for Scotland, including some Scottish Labour MPs, have said that sectors like agriculture and tourism need greater levels of immigration north of the Border since Brexit.
Malhotra (above), who said she would visit Scotland soon, added: “We will not be devolving immigration policy because the issues that Scotland faces are the same issues that are faced in other areas.”
Logan told The National afterwards that the minister’s answer had been embarrassing for the Scottish Labour leader.
He said: “Anas Sarwar will say anything to pick up a headline, but the fact is when it comes to Scotland's immigration needs, his Westminster bosses simply don't want to know.
“Scotland's agricultural and hospitality sectors are crying out for workers, but this Labour Government is hell-bent on standing in Scotland's way as they starve industry of the workforce it needs.”
Logan argued that Sarwar’s claims to have influence over the Westminster leadership of his party were bogus, adding: “Whether it's the two-child cap, the winter fuel payment, Waspi women or a Scottish visa, it's plainly obvious that Anas Sarwar has no influence over London Labour and it's completely laughable that he tried to persuade voters otherwise.
“When it comes to delivering for Scotland, there is no room for chancers – Scotland deserves MPs who will stand up for Scotland at every turn and that's exactly what the SNP will continue to do.”
Late last year, Scottish Labour MP John Grady (above) claimed that the Home Secretary was “determined” to bring “talented people into Scotland” and that the Government’s Migration Advisory Committee was considering a tailored approach for migration to Scotland.
A Home Office spokesperson said at the time: “This is not government policy and not something the Home Secretary is considering.”
Scottish Labour declined to comment.
