Meeting of the Parliament 12 June 2025
As we have heard, Scotland has long been—and remains—a welcoming country to people who want to settle here, to join our community, to enjoy this beautiful country and to contribute to our shared life. My family arrived as migrants to this country in the 19th century, coming from a country that was ravaged by famine. They worked in the jute mills of Dundee and made a life, a home and a community. That is my family’s story, which I know is echoed in many MSPs’ family stories. It is the story of people who have contributed massively to our nation’s story and to the communities that we live in today.
Scottish Labour celebrates the many ways in which our country has been enriched by those who have made Scotland their home. In making the migration system sustainable and able to command the confidence and support of the public, we must also recognise that any immigration system has to be safe, legal and well managed. That is absolutely essential. Eleven months ago, the UK Labour Government inherited from the previous Government a chaotic, broken system that did not work for anyone. Without any doubt, fixing that system will take time. It is right that the UK Government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that immigration is safe, that it is fair and, crucially, that it meets the needs of our economy. Meeting the needs of the economy is part of the basis of making sure that migration enjoys public support, which is absolutely crucial.