How a Scottish visa system could help solve a Brexit recruitment crisis

It comes as Scottiish businesses continue to raise concerns about how a lack of EU workers will impact on them.

Mr Macpherson believes that a visa that allows Scotland to bring in workers could be the solution His trip comes nearly six months after a Government-funded report lay bare the fears of rural families and business owners about Brexit, with some already struggling to make ends meet.

And the official report on the impact of Brexit on rural Scotland has referenced 21st century Highland Clearances and rural Scotland being abandoned.

It raised concerns Brexit will prove to be the “straw that breaks rural Scotland’s back”, exacerbating demographic issues and cutting off vital EU funding for infrastructure development.

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Scottish Rural Action (SRA) found widespread concerns remote communities will be disproportionately affected, as well as fears leaving the EU will simply compound existing problems.

Mr Macpherson believes there is growing enthusiasm for his plan for a Scottish visa that allows EU nationals to easily come and work in the country.

He says that if Canada and Australia can have "differentiating" regional immigration systems between different states and provinces then "surely the UK government can consider whether it is appropriate for Scotland".

Of the Scottish visa, Mr Macpherson said: "We need collaboration with the UK government to deliver solutions for Scotland and I am trying to be constructive "I would hope the UK Government is serious about Scotland and serious about this issue as I am and a, influence the system in order to create the solutions that work for us.

"I look forward to engaging with the UK government on this."

The trip has involved the minister meeting business leaders, employers and EU citizens to discuss immigration issues in Scotland which relies heavily on EU migrants for economic growth.

He wants to stress that Scotland values non-UK EU citizens, want them to remain and will support them through the Stay In Scotland campaign.

And he believes the current immigration system does not reflect the needs of our rural and island communities.

EU nationals who are already in the UK can apply for settled status or pre-settled status.

New figures have sparked Scottish Government concerns that "significant numbers" of EU citizens could miss out on Settled Status and would have uncertain futures due to "lack of information" or support from the UK government particularly for those with complex needs.

The latest Home Office statistics on the EU Settlement Scheme show that 51,600 EU Settlement Scheme applications were received in Scotland by July, 2019. But it is estimated that there are 221,000 EU nationals living in Scotland.

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The Home Office has indicated EU citizens currently living in the UK would still have until December 2020 to apply for the right to remain under its settled status scheme even if Britain leaves with no deal on October 31.

That is after home secretary Priti Patel revealed freedom of movement will end on the first day of a no-deal Brexit but no one eligible for settled status will be barred from re-entering the UK when free movement ends.

Boris Johnson had pledged that he would legislate to protect the rights of the three million EU citizens living and working in the UK and has invited them to apply through the UK Government Settled Status scheme.

And Mr Macpherson said the Prime Minister should make good on his promise.

"The Scottish government has said the British government should guarantee in law the rights of EU citizens living here," he said.

"The current Prime Minister pledge to do this when he was running for the Tory leadership race and has failed to do this."

Mr Macpherson welcomed the contribution made by EU nationals to the Scottish economy and the society in general.

But he said it was "concerning" to listen to feedback that while people feel welcome in Scotland there were issues attracting staff.

The Stay in Scotland campaign allied to a new helpline service run by Citizens Advice Scotland aims to address issues around Settled Status scheme awareness and provide EU citizens in Scotland with the necessary information and support they need to apply to the scheme.

In addition to the full time telephone service advisers based around the country, the project will also undertake community outreach across Scotland, as well as establish dedicated EU settlement champions who will lead on the services to be provided face to face to EU citizens.

"We want people who have questions to use that," he said. "It is incredibly important.

"The experience is anecdotal, during this trip, the one thing I am encouraged by is that people feel welcome in Scotland.

"The message from the Scottish Government and Scotland as a whole is that people are welcome here and that is resonating That is very encouraging.

"From employers there is deep concern about what the [immigration] proposals are post-Brexit."

Mr Macpherson believes a Scottish work visa system could shield Scotland’s economy from damage threatened by UK plans for tighter immigration controls after Britain leaves the EU.

Experts commissioned by the Scottish government predicted in February that Scotland’s working age population would drop by 3 to 5 per cent over the next 25 years if the UK proceeded with proposals to end free movement of EU nationals.