In depth: how westminster’s anti-immigration obsession is damaging scotland — scottish national party

For too long, the Westminster parties have spent their time squabbling about immigrants and refugees, while ignoring the real interests of the people of Scotland. Their fixation with

lowering migration levels, while ignoring the invaluable contributions immigrants make to this country’s economic security, has been to the detriment of Scotland. Here’s why people make

Scotland. A STRONG ECONOMY The International Monetary Fund (IMF) found that migration to advanced economies actually has positive effect by boosting productivity. IT IS A FACT THAT IN

SCOTLAND MIGRANTS CONTRIBUTE MORE TO GOVERNMENT REVENUE THROUGH TAXES THAN THEY RECEIVE IN PUBLIC SERVICES: The IMF concluded that “A 1 PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE in the share of migrants in

the adult population increases GDP per person in advanced economies by up to 2 PERCENT in the longer term.” This increase is even more notable when considering that with Scotland’s ageing

demographics, we have a greater proportion of the population who become less economically active. Without immigration to Scotland over the last ten years, Scotland’s population would

actually have fallen. Instead, our population has grown and that means there are more economically active people in Scotland now than a decade ago. One of the many benefits of migration is

that this increased productivity supports our ageing population and can fill gaps in the labour market that would otherwise be left vacant. A healthy influx of migrants doesn’t simply just

result in higher productivity – greater GDP per person is reflected in the increased revenue that a government can collect to fund resource and infrastructure spending. > 📣 @HumzaYousaf: 

“It’s frankly quite depressing to listen to > the UK Tories and the UK Labour compete in a race to the bottom when > it comes to migration. >  > Let me state unequivocally that 

migration to this country has been > good for Scotland, and we welcome migration.” #FMQs >  > — The SNP (@theSNP) June 15, 2023 A WELCOMING NATION Westminster’s control of

Scotland’s migration powers has been to the detriment of Scotland’s interests. The Tories’ shameful plan to deport refugees to a far off nation with a tragic human rights record is currently

being battled in the courts – but it is an indictment of the UK’s declining standing in the world that it has got even that far. Labour has failed to stand against this despicable plan,

instead drifting ever closer to the Tories in every policy area. The SNP has been clear in its condemnation of the Tories’ Rwanda plot; it is not just inhumane, but is quite obviously a

breakaway from our roles and responsibilities as an advanced economy. Refugees are desperate people fleeing war and persecution, and Scotland has repeatedly voted for a more compassionate

and welcoming approach. Free of Westminster control, Scotland could tailor a refugee policy that suits the tolerant and caring worldview of Scottish voters, rather than a narrow and divisive

policy dictated by the worst of Westminster’s politicking. > 🛑 The UK government’s toxic anti-refugee and anti-immigration > politics are not in our name. We need more humanity, not 

less. >  > 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland is proud to be a welcoming > country – and there’s no place for the Tory hostile environment > here. #pmqs pic.twitter.com/CxyTLxkcQp >  > — The

 SNP (@theSNP) April 26, 2023 SCOTLAND’S INTERESTS ARE BEING IGNORED The Westminster parties, whether it be Tory, Labour or Liberal Democrats, are always happy to sacrifice common sense and

decency in the name of political self-interest. Scotland’s interests are failed by the hateful politics of those like Home Secretary Suella Braverman. With independence, Scotland could

choose an immigration system that bolsters and secures our economy while also delivering on our responsibilities as an advanced western democracy. Scots have shown time and time again that

they are not swayed by the politics of hate and fear that defines so much of Westminster’s policy making. We can do so much better than this.