LABOUR MSPs will look to shut down calls for a bespoke Scottish visa scheme in a Holyrood debate on Thursday – despite Jackie Baillie claiming before the General Election that the new UK Government would be open to “dialogue” on it.

Kaukab Stewart, the SNP’s Equalities Minister, has tabled a motion which will ask the Scottish Parliament to back calls for the UK Government “to accept the Rural Visa Pilot proposal and to work directly and constructively with the Scottish Government to ensure that the needs of Scotland’s employers, communities and public services are fully reflected within the immigration system”.

The Scottish Rural Visa pilot proposal, put forward in September 2022, seeks to address depopulation and labour shortages in rural and island communities by creating a tailored migration route allowing workers and their families to settle and contribute to these areas.

Ahead of the General Election, Scottish Labour deputy leader Baillie told The Herald that a new Labour government would be open to talks with ministers in Edinburgh about a “Scottish visa”.

However, since being elected in July, the Labour Government at Westminster has shut down any suggestion that the idea is being considered.

https://www.thenational.scot/news/24844640.labour-msps-bid-shut-calls-bespoke-scottish-visa-scheme/