Tories Must Not Betray Edinburgh's EU Workers

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald has called on the UK Government to protect Edinburgh's skilled EU workers following the UK's departure from the European Union.

When questioned by the SNP MSP at Holyrood's Economy Committee, UK Business Secretary Greg Clark claimed that Brexit would not prevent talented people from coming to the UK, however the latest Office for National Statistics data shows that the number of EU citizens coming to the UK for work-related reasons has fallen over the last year.

Mr MacDonald says the UK Government must go further than giving EU citizens 5 year temporary permits and the right to apply for settlement - and provide clarity to those workers who have already made Scotland their home.

Commenting SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, said, "It is really concerning that the UK Business Secretary does not seem to share my concern that the Scottish economy and indeed Edinburgh's economy will suffer without vital EU workers.

"The latest ONS data shows that EU net migration to the UK has fallen as fewer EU citizens are arriving, especially those coming to look for work in the UK, and the number leaving has risen.

"This is on top of a litany of depressing examples of the Home Office denying visas for talented workers applying to work in Scotland's NHS and elsewhere in the Scottish economy.

"The Tories think they can do whatever they want to Scotland and get away with it – but we cannot let them risk jobs and the economy in Edinburgh all in the name of a reckless hard Brexit."

Links: -

Gordon in committee.

Statistics from ONS.