Labour accused of backtracking on post-Brexit ‘Scottish visa’ scheme

Labour has been accused of backtracking on the idea of a post-Brexit “Scottish visa” aimed at encouraging more migrants north of the border to help meet workforce shortages.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar appeared to play down the idea of greater powers for Scotland to create its own visa rules, saying the UK should stick with “one immigration system”.

It follows general election campaign comments by Mr Sarwar’s deputy Jackie Baillie, who suggested the party was open to looking at ways to “incentivise” more migrants to come to Scotland.

The SNP accused Mr Sarwar of backtracking on the idea of a bespoke Scottish visa – telling i it would be “the first of many betrayals from Labour”.

The row comes as Sir Keir Starmer visited Scotland on Sunday for talks with both Mr Sarwar and the SNP leader John Swinney.

The Prime Minister said he would put “co-operation over conflict” in working with Mr Swinney’s administration at Holyrood.

Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon had first proposed a unique work visa for Scotland in 2020, but the plan was rejected by the Conservative Government at Westminster.

Ms Baillie, Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader, had suggested last week that a new Labour Government could be open to talks with the Scottish Government about a bespoke Scottish visa.

She told The Herald on Sunday that Labour would look at “whether there is something we can do to incentivise people to come more to Scotland once they have reached the UK”.

However, Mr Sarwar played down the idea of new devolution powers for Scotland on immigration during an interview with BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show.

Asked whether he would press Sir Keir for a distinct Scottish immigration system, Mr Sarwar said: “No – we have to have one UK border agency, of course we need one immigration system.”

However, Mr Sarwar suggested it may be possible to encourage more migrants in the UK to fill the severe skills shortages facing some Scottish industries.

He pointed to Scottish Labour’s manifesto, which pledged to reform the UK Government’s migration advisory committee to make sure there is “Scottish representation” when skills shortages are discussed.

“When you have two government willing to work together, you can find distinct solutions for Scotland,” Mr Sarwar said.

He also pointed to the Fresh Talent Scheme, introduced by the last Labour Government, which gave students graduating from Scottish universities an easier route to a work visa than elsewhere in the UK. It was scrapped by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

SNP MP Pete Wishart told i that Mr Sarwar’s remarks were “astonishing” and would bring “cold comfort” to voters hoping for more powers for Scotland.

“After telling Scotland that we could expect immigration to be devolved this reverse will go down as the first of many betrayals from Labour,” he said. “This is an awful start for Sarwar and Starmer.”

Mr Swinney said last week that he was willing to “engage” with a Labour Government on immigration – but said he was “a little bit sceptical” that Sir Keir would be willing to agree to new visa powers.

In 2020 Ms Sturgeon proposed that Scotland got powers to scrap the UK salary threshold and employer sponsorship rules required by the Home Office, as Boris Johnson’s Government brought in a tougher, points-based system after Brexit.

The then-First Minister pointed to regional immigration rules used in Canada and Australia. The Scottish Government argued that population decline in rural Scotland was causing particularly acute shortages in the care sector and other public services.

UK Hospitality Scotland and Scotland Food and Drink have backed the idea of a bespoke visa to boost the workforce for pubs and restaurants north of the border.

Dr Kirsty Hughes, a leading expert on Scotland’s relationship with Europe, encouraged Labour to look seriously at setting up a Scottish visa.

“I thought the idea was among the best-argued proposals for more powers for Scotland. It would be good for the Scottish economy,” the fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh said.

Dr Hughes added: “It’s an interesting test on how far Starmer is willing to go on devolution. The right-wing media would say, ‘He’s opening a back door for migrants.’ So it’s certainly a risk.”

“But he should realise it could be beneficial for Scottish Labour’s case at the 2026 [Holyrood] election. It would show Scottish independence supporters things can be done within the UK by a Labour Government.”

Former Labour MSP Neil Findlay, a strong backer of greater devolution, told i: “You could have visa rules that take regional variation into account. It would be a pragmatic step for Scotland.”

“It’s my impression that Anas Sarwar would be keen on the idea,” he added. “But I don’t think it will be a big row. It may be something that emerges in some form over time, as they get into detailed discussions.”