ANAS Sarwar has been urged to “make good on his promises” to Scotland and back the introduction of a bespoke Scottish visa this week.
In what SNP MP Stephen Gethins has described as an “unexpected” opportunity, his private members bill – which seeks an amendment to the Scotland Act 1998 to enable the Scottish Government to set up a Scottish visa – will be debated and voted upon on Friday.
Despite the Home Office shooting down the idea last year, Gethins insisted “all is not lost” as he defiantly suggested there must be a way for all parties to find a solution to the unique migration problems Scotland has faced since Brexit.
His Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill will now have a second reading on Friday.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said just before last year’s General Election her party was open to talks with the Scottish Government on a Scottish visa.
Gethins has now written to Scottish Labour leader Sarwar asking him to deliver on that promise and support his bill.
In January, Sarwar said was holding talks with the UK Government on a bespoke Scottish visa scheme on the same day the UK Government twice ruled it out.
Gethins told The National: “Scotland has been devastated by Westminster policies that turn their back on the rest of the world such as a hard Tory Brexit and the hostile environment.
“These have had a profound impact on key sectors in Scotland such as the food and drink industry, tourism and the care sector amongst many others.
“This was not only recognised by the SNP but was also recognised by Brexiteers such as Michael Gove who promised devolution of migration, and Scottish Labour who also promised some devolution and a Scottish visa before the election.
“But just like the Tory Brexiteers, once in power, Labour have failed to deliver on their commitment.
Former Tory minister Gove suggested just before the EU referendum that Scotland should decide its immigration policy if the Leave campaign was successful.
The SNP has long called for a Scottish visa to address the “damaging” labour shortages caused by Brexit. The loss of freedom of movement has led to labour shortages in Scotland's NHS and key sectors including agriculture, hospitality, construction and higher education.
When Home Secretary Yvette Cooper appeared to reject the plan put forward by Gethins following the election last year, Scottish hospitality and tourism chiefs criticised the Labour Government.
Leon Thompson, executive director of UK Hospitality Scotland, said that the snub was “very, very disappointing” adding that “there needs to be some further conversations at how we have arrived at a situation where it [a Scottish visa] is not being considered at all when it was part of the conversation before the election.”
Think tank Reform Scotland, chaired by former Labour first minister Lord McConnell, has also backed an independent Scottish visa scheme writing before the election that there is a “danger Scotland’s needs will be overlooked.”
The SNP have also made the case that a Scottish Visa and devolution of migration powers would boost the Scottish economy by addressing Scotland's demographic challenges. Without these powers, the working age population of Scotland, and the overall population, are projected to decline.
Gethins added: “For too long Scotland has been damaged by the rhetoric of Labour and the Tories leaning in to the hard-right Reform agenda. That damages us all.
“I like other members of the SNP want to see independence but until that time we have a responsibility to do all we can to minimise the damage that has been done to Scotland by these Westminster policies.”
In his letter to Sarwar, in which he copied in Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, Gethins wrote: “For far too long, Westminster has made UK-wide immigration policy that doesn’t work for Scotland and I know that you recognise this having previously acknowledged the need for a ‘bespoke solution’ for Scotland.
“Prior to the UK General Election, both you and Jackie Baillie signalled that a UK Labour Government would be open to talks on a Scottish Visa. Jackie Baillie said discussions made ‘common sense’ while you said you had already held discussions with the Home Secretary.
“In presenting this proposal, I am putting forward a suggestion that has been supported by other political parties, stakeholders and the leading think tank Reform Scotland and it is my hope you will instruct Scottish Labour MPs to rise above party politics and back our bill in the interests of Scotland’s economy.
“Voters expect pre-election and pre-referendum commitments to be kept, and I look forward to hearing from you on how we can pass this bill in the best interests of the Scottish people and wider economy.”
