Westminster, London – Scottish businesses are “crying out” for a tailored visa system to help address workforce shortages and drive economic growth, SNP MP Stephen Gethins has said ahead of a parliamentary debate on devolving immigration powers to Holyrood.
Mr Gethins, the MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, is spearheading the Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill, which is due for its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday. The proposed legislation seeks to allow Scotland to design its own managed migration scheme to meet the specific needs of key sectors such as hospitality, tourism, and care.
Speaking to the PA News Agency, Mr Gethins criticised the UK’s current immigration strategy, labelling it a “one-size-fits-all” approach that disproportionately benefits the South East of England while neglecting the demographic and economic needs of Scotland.
“Having a one-size-fits-all approach to migration is not something that makes for good policy,” he said. “At the moment, policy is made with the South East in mind, but parts of Scotland are facing a crisis in terms of labour shortages. Migration has always been a key driver of economic growth, and we are failing to harness that potential.”
Mr Gethins was clear to stress that he is not advocating for open borders but rather a managed and sector-focused migration system, which he believes would help alleviate pressure on essential industries. “We’re not talking about uncontrolled migration. We’re talking about pragmatic, targeted policy that supports the economy—and that’s why so many business leaders and industry groups back the idea.”
He added that many of the arguments surrounding migration have been “hijacked by culture wars,” with major parties failing to engage in serious policy discussions. “Too often, the conversation is dictated by the rhetoric of Reform and similar parties. We need to move beyond that. We need a calm, constructive debate about how migration can benefit specific regions.”
Mr Gethins cited existing decentralised models from countries such as Canada and Australia, where regional governments manage parts of their own migration systems to reflect local labour market needs. “It’s not a radical idea,” he said. “Provinces in Canada have their own immigration streams. The same could be done here. We already have a Scottish tax system, so the infrastructure to implement a bespoke visa scheme is in place.”
More Read
The proposed Scottish visa system, according to Mr Gethins, could be collaboratively developed with input from all political parties and stakeholders. “This doesn’t need to be partisan,” he explained. “We can work together on this. The goal is to design a system that reflects Scotland’s economic needs and gives sectors such as care and the NHS a fighting chance after the workforce damage inflicted by Brexit.”
Since the UK’s departure from the European Union, Scottish businesses—particularly in rural and coastal areas—have faced growing difficulties recruiting workers, especially in seasonal and low-wage roles traditionally filled by EU nationals. The care sector and NHS have also reported serious recruitment challenges, which Gethins attributes in part to the UK Government’s so-called “hostile environment”.
“This isn’t just about numbers,” he said. “It’s about people. It’s about ensuring our care homes are staffed, our hospitals are supported, and our hospitality industry can continue to thrive.”
While Downing Street has shown little enthusiasm for further devolution of immigration powers, Gethins remains optimistic. “Even Brexiteers have acknowledged that Scotland faces unique demographic challenges. We need policy that reflects those realities. This isn’t just an SNP issue—it’s a Scottish one.”
As the debate looms, supporters of the Bill hope it marks the beginning of a more nuanced approach to immigration policy in the UK—one that respects the differing needs of its constituent nations and empowers them to shape their own economic futures.
