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Scotland wants control its own post-Brexit immigration policy

Xinhua, February 7, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Scottish parliament called in a report on Monday to be given the control of its own separate immigration policy after Britain leaves the European Union.

Currently government ministers in Westminster has said they are prioritizing an immigration deal that works for the whole of Britain over any local visa arrangements.

A unanimous cross-party report, published Monday on EU migration and EU citizens'rights, said that 181,000 EU nationals living in Scotland are experiencing "imposed uncertainty" as they wait to find out whether they will be able to continue to live and work in Scotland.

Joan McAlpine, MSP (member of the Scottish Parliament) who is convener of the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee, said Monday: "The 181,000 EU migrants who have made their home in Scotland, not to mention Scots living in the EU, are effectively living in a state of limbo while they wait to hear what will happen to them after Brexit.

"EU migration has helped reverse a decline in the Scottish population, particularly amongst people of working age. A hard Brexit runs the risk of driving this valuable group of European citizens out of Scotland. That will have a devastating effect on the communities where EU citizens have made their home, businesses and key sectors of our economy."

"We're therefore calling on the British and Scottish governments to identify a differentiated solution for immigration policy in Scotland after Brexit as soon as possible."

The report, published by the Scottish parliament, said EU citizens who have made their homes throughout Scotland should be allowed to remain and calls on the British government to clarify their status without further delay.

The report warned that the demographic risks for Scotland of a reduction in the number of EU migrants are more acute than for Britain as a whole.

Lewis Macdonald MSP, deputy convener, said: "This report presents strong evidence of the risks facing key sectors of our economy, from agriculture to tourism and research, without the continued access to the essential source of labor that EU citizens currently provide."

Currently there are over 30,000 EU nationals employed in distribution, hotels and restaurants in Scotland and almost 20,000 in public administration, education and health.

In London, mayor Sadiq Khan has already pressed for the British capital to be given a deal that allows it to issue its own London visas to European nationals after Britain leaves the EU. Endit