Immigration Policies Scotland 2023-05-22
2023-05-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish Government have raised concerns about labour shortages multiple times, securing debates on the issue. They proposed a rural immigration pilot as a solution.
I am concerned that my Department's immigration policies are exacerbating labour shortages in Scotland despite repeated warnings from the Scottish Government and debates I have secured on this matter. Why will you not engage with them on their proposed rural immigration pilot, given they lack powers in this area?
We believe strongly that the UK is better served by a single national immigration service. There is no material difference in unemployment or economic inactivity rates in Scotland compared to the rest of the United Kingdom, and domestic workforce solutions should be prioritised over immigration.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for engagement on a specific rural immigration pilot proposed by the Scottish Government. The answer did not address why this proposal was not being engaged with.
Reiterating Uk-Wide Policy
Rejecting Need For Local Solutions
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish Government proposed a rural immigration pilot to address labour shortages, a proposal welcomed by one of the Home Secretary's predecessors. Labour shortages are posing significant challenges for Scotland.
My SNP colleagues have repeatedly raised the issue of labour shortages. Despite this and my securing a debate on it, why will the UK Government not engage with the Scottish Government on their rural immigration pilot?
We believe strongly that the UK is better served by a single national immigration service. The first port of call should be the domestic workforce, and my right hon. Friend the Work and Pensions Secretary has brought forward measures to help more people into the workforce.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for engagement on a specific rural immigration pilot proposed by the Scottish Government. The answer did not address why this proposal was not being engaged with.
Reiterating Uk-Wide Policy
Rejecting Need For Local Solutions
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
When considering the level of net migration, it is important to consider not just economic impact but also social and cultural impacts.
Should we not also think about the social and cultural impact of high levels of legal migration on public services like housing and community cohesion?
It is correct that we must consider the impact of large amounts of legal migration on housing, access to public services, community cohesion, and integration. The Government takes these issues seriously.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Net migration remains high in Scotland despite repeated warnings from Labour about the need to train home-grown talent.
Ending small boat crossings is one way to reduce immigration, but asylum seekers are only a fraction of net migration. The reason businesses rely on migrant labour is that Conservative governments have cut skills budgets and failed to get people off NHS waiting lists. Is the Home Secretary committed to the 2019 manifesto pledge of bringing net migration below 226,000?
Let us be clear: this party wants to bring down net migration. I have no idea what Labour wants to do; their last government had an open-door policy on migration. We will control migration, unlike Labour's approach.
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Assessment & feedback
Criticising Opposition
Deflecting With Historical References
Response accuracy