Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 09 January 2025
09 Jan 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Migration System
With respect to the cabinet secretary, I think that she has slightly jumped the gun. She might want to reflect on what I will say in the next few minutes.
Instead of focusing on providing high-quality public services, the Scottish Government would rather grandstand on reserved policy areas and deflect attention elsewhere. The consequences of that are plain to see: a suffering national health service, an ever-growing housing crisis, the social care sector on its knees, and the wider third sector looking for life support.
Should we be surprised that Scotland is struggling to attract migrants? If the Scottish National Party is not willing to put in the work to make Scotland an attractive prospect, why should migrants be willing to move here? Scotland is home to 8.4 per cent of the UK population, but we receive only 6 per cent of net UK migration. Regardless of the SNP’s attempts to deflect from that, the blame lies squarely at its feet.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16034, in the name of Kaukab Stewart, on building a migration system that supports Scotland’s economy, pu...
The Minister for Employment and Investment (Tom Arthur)
SNP
I am pleased to open this important debate on migration. Parliament has debated migration previously, and although there have been disagreements, we have als...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
One of those distinct needs is to get skilled workers into rural areas. What does the minister say to the fact that the £25 million key workers fund for rura...
Tom Arthur
SNP
Craig Hoy will recognise that a number of initiatives are being taken and that certain schemes will be demand led. However, the Government has a demonstrable...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con)
Con
The project of devolution is built on the idea that devolved Parliaments can carry out certain functions of government effectively at a more local level. Ove...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (Shirley-Anne Somerville)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP)
SNP
Will Mr Balfour take an intervention?
Jeremy Balfour
Con
Ladies first, if that is okay.
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
How very gallant of the member. I am already gravely concerned by the tone that the member is taking. As my colleague Mr Arthur pointed out, this debate is ...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
With respect to the cabinet secretary, I think that she has slightly jumped the gun. She might want to reflect on what I will say in the next few minutes. I...
Ben Macpherson
SNP
Does Jeremy Balfour acknowledge the fact that inward migration from the rest of the UK has been positive—in that more people have come from the rest of the U...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
I do not accept the member’s second point because, if we look at the numbers, we see that they are lower than they are for any other part of the UK. We have ...
Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Con)
Con
I wish to reflect on Mr Macpherson’s point about inward migration from the rest of the UK. I do not think that we have a profile of the age demographic for t...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
I will come back to the point that Mr Carlaw made, if time allows. The Scottish Government likes to make a big song and dance about its progressive tax po...
Lorna Slater (Lothian) (Green)
Green
Will Jeremy Balfour take an intervention?
Jeremy Balfour
Con
I have probably taken enough interventions. The Scottish Conservatives believe that, by allowing people to keep more of their hard-earned wages, we can prom...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Rhoda Grant joins us remotely to speak to and move amendment S6M-16034.3. 15:19
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
We recognise the valuable contribution that is made by those who migrate to Scotland. In every walk of life, new Scots provide new knowledge and experience. ...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
As an immigrant into Scotland, I am proud to make the opening speech on behalf of the Scottish Greens in the debate, and to speak to our amendment. Much wil...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
Maggie Chapman’s amendment is very well pitched, as are her remarks about the conditions that are placed on asylum seekers—people who are seeking safe harbou...
Maggie Chapman
Green
Absolutely. Several parties in this Parliament have been begging the UK Government to reconsider that policy. It is cruel, it is vindictive and, like the no ...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I am grateful to the Government for bringing the debate to the chamber. I begin with a reflection on my interests, as Maggie Chapman did. I am a proud produ...
Lorna Slater
Green
Alex Cole-Hamilton mentioned reconnecting with Europe, but what about rejoining the European Union? What do you think the pathway is for Scotland to rejoin t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Speak through the chair.
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
I am always grateful for an opportunity to lay out the Liberal Democrats’ pathway to reintegration with the European Union. That starts, unashamedly, with re...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
If my memory serves me correctly, Alex Cole-Hamilton talked a year or so ago about how a Ukrainian daughter had to go to Ukraine to have dental treatment bec...
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
That is absolutely true. I raised that case at First Minister’s question time. We need to make Scotland attractive, and that means improving our public servi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We now move to the open debate. I call Bill Kidd, to be followed by Craig Hoy. 15:39
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to speak in today’s debate. This is my first contribution of the year, so I also welcome the opportunity to wish everyone, not only...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
This debate is another opportunity for the Scottish Government to concede what is now abundantly clear—that it has repeatedly failed Scottish businesses and ...