Two rural SNP MSPs are urging the Scottish Labour deputy leader to persuade the UK Government to introduce Scottish visas.  

Their calls come after the UK Government ruled out the scheme which would give limited immigration powers to Holyrood in order to help attract more overseas workers north of the border. 

In a letter seen exclusively by The Herald, SNP MSPs Karen Adam and Emma Roddick say they are “seeking urgent clarity” from Dame Jackie Baillie and are calling for her to negotiate with UK counterparts to bring forward the scheme. 

In June this year, Jackie Baillie told The Herald she was open to a discussion on the Scottish Visas with the UK Government. 

And in the House of Commons earlier this month, Glasgow East MP John Grady said the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was "determined" to set up an independent Scottish system. 

Since these comments, however, Scottish Labour and the UK Government have made clear they do not support the introduction of a Scottish-specific visa. 

Instead, Scottish Labour think the system should remain integrated with the UK Government as there are opportunities for Scotland-specific needs to be added to the occupations included on the UK skilled worker visa route. 

The SNP, however, believe devolving immigration powers by introducing a Scottish Visa would allow Scotland to attract and retain people with the skills and attributes "for communities and the economy to flourish".

Sectors such as hospitality, the care sector and farming have struggled to fill vacancies across Europe with problems particularly acute in the Highlands and Islands.

In their letter to the Scottish Labour deputy leader, the MSPs for Banffshire & Buchan Coast and the Highlands & Islands said: “Migration is an issue which is crucial for our future, but the Scottish Government doesn’t currently have the powers needed to deliver tailored immigration policies for Scotland.”

The two rural SNP MSPs added: “Migration to Scotland supports economic growth and the delivery of public services and helps to address the serious issue of long term demographic change – especially in rural areas such as the ones we represent.” 

READ MORE:

Starmer confronts slavery reparations calls in Commonwealth address

1,600 people convicted of sex crimes had previous offences

Mother may face ‘destitution’ if Government cuts benefits in budget 

Scottish Labour's general election manifesto pledged to reform the UK migration advisory committee and to ensure migration and skills policies “work for every part of the UK”, while ending “long-term reliance on overseas workers in some parts of the economy”.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched a plan for a Scottish visa pilot scheme back in 2020 which would have allowed businesses and organisations in remote and rural communities an exemption from UK immigration rules over hiring EU and other foreign nationals. 

It would also have enabled firms to recruit staff from overseas who earned less than the required income threshold set by the Home Office to obtain a visa under the government's regulations. 

Scottish ministers sought approval for the scheme, however, the Home Office blocked the pilot programme.

A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “The needs of our economy are different across the regions and nations, and different sectors have different needs.

"Labour have always said that we will ensure that our migration and skills policy work for every part of the UK.

"Given skills and employment support are devolved we will work with the Scottish Government when designing workforce plans for different sectors." 

The UK Government said they have nothing further to add and their position remains the same. 

A Home Office spokesperson said: “This is not government policy and not something the Home Secretary is considering.”