KEIR Starmer is “scared” of devolving more powers over immigration to Scotland because it would reignite the debate on Scottish independence, an expert has claimed.
The Prime Minister made clear earlier this month that despite calls for a bespoke Scottish visa to address Scotland’s distinct needs of an ageing population and workforce gaps, devolving further powers on migration was not something he was considering despite expressing a desire for a “reset” in the relationship between governments at Holyrood and Westminster.
When asked if this “reset” would include considering devolving powers of immigration – something the Scottish Government has repeatedly called for – Starmer stated: “No, we’re not looking at that.”
Migration expert Dr Sylvie Da Lomba, who is based at the University of Strathclyde, said given immigration powers are considered to be a key attribute of a sovereign state, Starmer will be reluctant to gift more powers to Scotland because it could send the nation to the brink of independence.
The UK Government dismissed the idea of a bespoke Scottish visa scheme after SNP MP Stephen Gethins lodged a private members’ bill seeking an amendment to the Scotland Act 1998 to enable the Scottish Government to set one up.
Da Lomba (below) told The National: “I am not surprised they rejected the idea and are not even contemplating a little bit of devolution.
“Devolution in the field of immigration is a big deal. Even if it wasn’t all powers [being devolved], being able to control who comes in and conditions, this is really regarded as an attribute of a sovereign state.
“The situation is different if you look at states that have been set up as federal, for example like Canada which has accepted power-sharing on migration, but the constitutional set-up is totally different.
“If the UK Government were to agree to devolving some powers to Scotland in the field of immigration, I think that many would look at it as a step towards an independent Scotland and I think it would be politicised [on both sides].”
Asked if Starmer would be scared of devolving more powers on migration, she said: “I think he would.”
However, while not surprised at his reluctance, Da Lomba said Starmer needs to find a way to be more open to discussions on addressing Scotland’s specific needs around migration.
The Jimmy Reid Foundation this week released a briefing on devolving immigration powers to Scotland which said successive UK ministers have “instinctively rejected the concept without adequately examining the issue”.
The think tank points out that Scotland’s working-age population is not projected to increase at the same rate as the rest of the UK and the number of working-age Scots to support the country’s ageing population won’t be available without immigration.
The organisation – which said areas such as tourism, agriculture and hospitality will be particularly badly hit – highlights how partial devolution of immigration powers could fix the problem.
The think tank makes the case for a Scottish visa to allow migrants to enter the UK and live and work in Scotland with a Scottish tax code, similar to the Canadian Province Nominee Programme.
The briefing said: “This approach has broad support within Scotland, including business organisations and trade unions. Public opinion in Scotland is also more positive about immigration than other parts of the UK.
“The partial devolution of immigration powers could address Scotland’s demographic challenges. A shared responsibility would allow the policy to be introduced gradually (starting with rural areas), providing an evidence base for further action.”
Leon Thompson, the executive director of UK Hospitality Scotland, told The Herald last month he was “very disappointed” the policy of a Scottish visa was not being pursued as he stressed how much it could help address workforce shortages in rural areas where there is depopulation.
Just before the EU referendum, former Tory minister Michael Gove had suggested that Scotland should decide its immigration policy if the Leave campaign was successful.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie (below) said just before this year’s General Election her party was open to talks with the Scottish Government on a Scottish visa.
Da Lomba said the current visa policy in the UK does not address Scotland’s needs and Starmer should be looking to collaborate with the Scottish Government more on how an overhaul of the system could ensure it is tailored to the requirements of different regions.
“Scotland has some very distinct needs that the current visa policy does not seem to address,” she said.
“It’s not tailored to the needs of Scotland in terms of economic environment but also in terms of demography. This is an issue which is really distinct in Scotland.
“When you look at social care, health care, tourism, agriculture, these are areas that are really suffering in Scotland and I think there is this issue which doubles up with the demographic issue, with the ageing of the population which is more pronounced.
“I think he [Starmer] needs to be [more] open and maybe just as a first step, maybe not necessarily frame the debate on devolution but look at visa schemes which account for the very different situations across the UK and the distinctive situation of Scotland when it comes to workforce gaps and demography.
“So for example visas that would allow for greater number of migrants on Scotland so it would not be seen as devolution because it would be decided at UK level, but having some kind of collaboration.”
On the idea of a Scottish visa, she added: “It’s not a silver bullet, but it would help.”
