ANAS Sarwar has been blasted for backing Keir Starmer’s “right-wing immigration rhetoric” after saying too many immigrants were coming to the UK.
The Scottish Labour leader was accused of taking “marching orders from London” after he said net migration was “too high”.
Net migration refers to the difference between people leaving the country and people moving to it.
The figure has risen sharply since 2021, reaching its highest-ever level of 764,000 the following year, falling slightly to 685,000 in 2023.
Starmer has pledged to bring down the number of people immigrating to Britain but has so far refused to set a target.
Speaking to reporters in Scotstoun, Glasgow, on Wednesday, Sarwar said: “If you look across the UK at our net migration figures, then yes, it is too high. And the net migration figures have sky-rocketed."
Net migration is much lower in Scotland than in the rest of the UK and has driven what little population growth the country has seen recently.
According to the National Records of Scotland, net migration was 27,800 in the financial year 2020-21, the most recent available statistics.
Alison Thewliss, the SNP’s home affairs spokesperson in the last parliament, said: “Anas Sarwar has just revealed his party’s ignorance to the unique challenges Scotland and our NHS face.
“His short-sighted obedience to the right-wing immigration rhetoric of his London-based boss, Sir Keir Starmer, is yet more proof that only a vote for the SNP on July 4 can put Scotland first.”
She said Tory and Labour plans to cut net migration “spell danger for our NHS”, adding: “To hear Anas Sarwar come out in agreement shows that he will always obey his marching orders from London.”
Thewliss argued Scotland needed “an immigration system which welcomes people and a system suited to our specific economic needs”.
Tony Osy, Alba’s candidate in Glasgow South West, added: “Sarwar is kowtowing to Starmer and Starmer is shadowing the Tories.
“As Anas Sarwar well knows, Scotland needs and welcomes fresh talent. The difference between Anas Sarwar is I put Scotland’s needs first, he subordinates them to England.”
