New immigration system would hit Moray, says MSP
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Moray's MSP has urged the UK government to think again about its proposed new immigration system.
Richard Lochhead is pointing to an independent study which states that 62% of migrants who want to work in Moray would currently fall below the £25,600 salary threshold which is included in the Westminster proposals.
This, says Mr Lochhead, would shut the door on the ability of local businesses to recruit workers from Europe and elsewhere.
Mr Lochhead said: "The COVID-19 crisis has clearly demonstrated the UK’s reliance on key workers who have come to Scotland from all over the world.
"It has shown beyond doubt that people working in the roles which the Tories describe as ‘lower-skilled’ are absolutely vital to our communities.
"Locally, we know that around 3000 EU nationals have chosen to make Moray their home.
"If this policy had been in place many of them would have been turned away by this hostile Tory policy, which would have considered many of them to be low skilled.
"Without migration, Moray could face a demographic crisis that could hammer public services like the NHS – as an ageing population leaves Scotland with fewer working-age taxpayers.
"Earlier this year, I hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives from Moray’s public and private sector to discuss how these plans would affect our economy and our communities.
"It was clear that these proposals would be devastating for Moray.
"But despite the clear evidence, the Tories seem utterly determined to back Boris Johnson’s closed-minded plans which will be immeasurably damaging to Moray and Scotland.
"On top of coronavirus, this damaging policy is the last thing that Moray needs."
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