Fears for economy as migrant workers fall since Brexit

Angela Crawley MP has said the Tories’ “narrow-minded Brexit rhetoric” is to blame for a fall in the number of overseas workers coming to South Lanarkshire – and warned of the damage to the economy and public services.

Latest figures from the DWP show a 16% drop in the number of National Insurance registrations by overseas workers coming to South Lanarkshire between 2015 and 2018.

The alarming figures reinforce warnings that Scotland faces a demographic crisis that could jeopardise our ability to fund public services – with an ageing population leaving the country with fewer working-age taxpayers.

All of Scotland’s population growth over the next 25 years is projected to come from migration.  

With Scottish unemployment at historically low levels, falling migration poses a risk to filling crucial vacancies in our public services and private sector.

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

Commenting, Angela said:

“The UK government’s hostile approach to migration is failing South Lanarkshire and driving people away, putting our economy and vital public services on the line.  

“Freedom of movement has been great for South Lanarkshire – migrants are not only net contributors to our economy but they strengthen our society and enrich our communities.

“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.”