SNP MP Stephen Gethins tabled a bill at Westminster on Thursday seeking an amendment to the Scotland Act 1998 to enable the Scottish Government to set up a Scottish visa.
The SNP MP told The National in an exclusive interview that it would allow Holyrood to help “offset the damage already done by Brexit”.
“This is an opportunity not to right that wrong but to offset even a little the damage that's been done,” he explained.
“The benefits of a Scottish visa are that the UK is a very big and diverse country.
“Scotland's needs in terms of migration are very different to those from, say, the southeast of England, and this visa could be targeted, for example, at the care sector – they're struggling to get staff. Or in the food and drink sector, producers who grow our wonderful products, the tourism and hospitality sector."
The MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry added, however, that he “doesn’t have all the answers” and is “willing to work with others on it”.
It comes after the Home Office completely dismissed the idea of a Scottish visa out of hand after reports suggested that Labour were considering the policy.
In a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, MP for Glasgow East John Grady said the party wanted to bring more workers to Scotland and suggested that the new UK Government may be working on proposals.
Answering a question from Gethins on the issue, Grady responded: "Scottish Labour and the Labour Party are in favour of bringing talented people into Scotland, and the Scottish Government are welcome to work with us as we seek to ensure that that takes place.
"As I understand it, the Home Secretary is determined to ensure that it does, and I also understand that the migration advisory committee is looking at the issue carefully."
But the Home Office then slapped down the suggestion, with a spokesperson telling The National: “This is not government policy and not something the Home Secretary is considering.”
Gethins said that he found the way in which the idea was dismissed without any discussion “dispiriting” – as well as the lack of Scottish Labour then asserting "that it’s clearly in the Scottish economic interest”.
He added that it was further proof of how “weak and lacking in influence” Scottish Labour are.
“I think there seems to be some concerns around whether or not Scottish Labour MPs are willing to show that they will put Scotland's interests first or put party interest first,” Gethins said.
“So, there's a very significant question for Scottish Labour. Will they work with me and back my bill – and I'm very willing to work with them and I'm willing to compromise and I'm willing to listen to their ideas – or are they simply lobby fodder to do what they're told?”
