Labour has ‘broken its promise to voters’ – Daily Business

The SNP has claimed the Labour Party has “broken its promise to voters” after blocking the passage of a bill to devolve migration powers.

If passed, the Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill, which was tabled by SNP MP Stephen Gethins, would amend the Scotland Act 1998 to grant the Scottish Parliament legislative competence over immigration powers.

However, it was blocked at second reading in the Commons today, the decision coming despite Anas Sarwar MSP and Jackie Baillie MSP promising Scottish voters during the general election that a Labour government would be open to introducing a Scottish visa and devolving migration powers.

Mr Gethins said: “The Labour Party has broken its promise to voters, and is actively damaging Scotland’s economy and public services, by blocking a Scottish visa and the devolution of migration powers while imposing a hard Brexit on Scotland.

“During the UK election, Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie promised Scottish voters that a Labour government would be open to introducing these measures and said it was ‘common-sense’ – but yet again, the Labour Party is ripping up its promises just like it did on austerity cuts, the winter fuel payment and the betrayal of Grangemouth, WASPI women and disabled people.

“The ball is now firmly back in the Labour Party’s court. There is widespread support for a Scottish visa, and the devolution of migration powers, across vital Scottish industries and public services including the NHS and social care, hospitality and tourism, agriculture, construction, and higher education. The Labour Party must explain why it is arrogantly dismissing Scotland’s needs out of hand.”

The SNP says there is widespread support in Scotland for a Scottish visa and the devolution of migration across vital industries including hospitality and tourism, construction, agriculture, and higher education, and public services including the NHS and social care sector – all of which have been hit hard by Brexit and the loss of free of movement, which has caused labour shortages.

They have also made the case that a Scottish visa, and devolution of migration powers, would boost the Scottish economy by addressing Scotland’s demographic challenges. Without these powers, the working age population of Scotland, and the overall population, are projected to decline – hitting economic growth, public finances and prosperity.