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Motion · S5M-20962 · 20 Feb 2020

Tory Immigration Policy Detrimental to Scottish Care Sector

Lodged by Gordon MacDonald Members' Business Motion 21 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament unreservedly condemns the UK Conservative administration's immigration proposals; believes that these completely disregard the needs of Scotland’s employers, public services and communities; considers that they will have a detrimental impact on the social care sector, which employs over 110,000 people in Scotland, including in Edinburgh, with a significant number of the workforce coming from the European Economic Area (EEA); notes with concern that the Conservative's immigration policy income threshold of £25,600 is significantly higher than the £17,500 average salary paid in Scotland’s care sector; recognises that Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, the umbrella body representing more than 400 nursing homes, day services, and home care providers, has warned of the “triple whammy” that the immigration policy will impose on the provision of support for dementia patients, vulnerable adults and others in need; understands that the policy will reduce the number of working-age people coming to live, work and contribute to Scotland’s economy; believes that it will reduce the number of current care staff due to what it considers toxic rhetoric around immigration, and that it will reduce the funding available to the care sector due to the economic impact of these political decisions; deplores the UK Conservative administration's proposals for categorising care workers earning under £25,600 as “low-skilled labour”; considers this view to be harmful, out of touch, and completely opposed to the needs of an aging population in Scotland, and acknowledges calls for an immigration policy that reflects Scotland’s distinct needs, demographic and economy, and to maintain quality support in the care sector.

Supporters (21)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.