Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, has said that the Tories’ “narrow-minded Brexit rhetoric” is to blame for the fall in the number of overseas workers coming to Perthshire – and warned of the resulting damage to the economy and public services.

The latest figures from the DWP reveal a 25% drop in the number of National Insurance registrations by overseas workers coming to Perth and Kinross between 2015 and 2018.

The figures reinforce warnings that Perthshire faces a demographic crisis that could hammer public services, as an ageing population leaves Scotland with fewer working-age taxpayers.
 
All of Scotland’s population growth over the next 25 years is projected to come from migration.  

Analysis by the Scottish Government has found that Westminster proposals to cut migration to the tens of thousands would cost the Scottish economy up to £10 billion per year by 2040.

Commenting, Mr Swinney said:

“The Tory government’s hostile approach to migration is failing Perthshire.

“Their anti-immigrant obsession and narrow-minded Brexit rhetoric is driving people away from Scotland, and putting public services across the region under needless pressure.  

“The simple fact is that without inward migration our working-age population will decline, making it harder to fund vital public services like hospitals and schools in the future.
 
“It is now imperative for Scotland to have the powers to set an immigration policy which suits our specific needs and recognises the huge benefits migrant workers being to our economy and society.”