Adam condemns UK inmigration policy
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THE contribution made by EU nationals to the Scottish economy has been hailed by a local MSP.
Karen Adam, the SNP MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, used her second speech at Holyrood to press the case in favour of attracting talent from overseas.
She said: “The business case is strong for an inclusive economy, it helps our businesses to innovate and grow, it helps them to compete more effectively on the world stage.
"It helps develop, attract, and make the most of our talent in Scotland.
“There is an opportunity to build a strong national consensus around a national purpose; to learn from other small nations and adopt lessons to Scotland’s specific circumstances that will enable a shift-change towards a wellbeing economy.
“We face an opportunity to be ambitious: to rethink how we invest in places and, importantly, who benefits from that investment. Coronavirus and Brexit have exacerbated inequalities between and within communities.
“This is something, I know, may not be customary – but I want to innovate – bringing together the industries' experts; the people working in their sectors every day, to plan for economic prosperity in the North East. During the recent campaign, I pledged the formation of a new tourism forum that I will chair, composed of businesses, and other stakeholder organisations, so that we can come together in a unified voice to support more jobs and investment along my coastal constituency.
“We cannot discuss the implications of Brexit and skills without acknowledging the huge contribution EU nationals make to our country. The fishing, farming, hospitality and health and care sectors are reliant on them.
“The UK government's immigration system is not fit for purpose in Scotland, because, in contrast, we value and cherish our EU nationals' decision to work here and make Scotland their home as they contribute culturally, socially and economically to our country's prosperity.”
The MSP ended her second speech to advocate for the importance of Scottish independence.
“Perhaps it’s an apt time to highlight the possibilities that could come with having power over all of our own decisions in an independent country.
“The opportunity to take charge of our own future. To those who say we cannot concentrate on more than one thing at a time, perhaps drop the unionist agenda and leave the multitasking to us. Full economic prosperity, and health and wellbeing comes hand in hand with an independent Scotland.”
