The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
PMQS: Johnson brands Scottish visa plan ‘fanciful and deranged’
Prime minister dismisses Nicola Sturgeon’s request for ‘tailored’ immigration strategy to offset ageing population, falling birth rate and the impact of Brexit
Boris Johnson has dismissed Nicola Sturgeon’s request for Scotland to have its own visa and immigration strategy, branding the plan “fanciful and deranged”.
The first minister unveiled the proposal on Monday, saying Scotland needed a “tailored” approach to offset the country’s ageing population, falling birth rate and the impact of Brexit.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford spoke out against Brexit ahead of the UK’S impending departure from the European Union tomorrow.
He said: “Scotland of course is being dragged out of the EU against our will. We hope our European friends will leave a light on for Scotland.”
Referring to the publication on Monday of the Scottish Government’s visa proposals, he argued that “before the ink was even dry these proposals were rejected without consideration”.
Mr Blackford asked on what points Mr Johnson disagreed, “since the prime minister would never reject a proposal without reading it”.
Mr Johnson said the seasonal agricultural workers scheme was “very important”, adding he had “every sympathy” with Scottish businesses.
But he said: “I think the idea of having a Scottish-only visa with a border at Berwick and ... inspection posts, I think this is absolutely fanciful and deranged and whatever there may be on page 20 of his document, I doubt if he explains who’s going to pay for it.”
Mr Blackford responded: “Nobody’s suggesting such a thing and that just confirms the prime minister doesn’t have a clue. Unlike the prime minister, experts back the Scottish Government’s proposals.”
Scottish ministers say greater inward migration is needed to boost Scotland’s working-age population in particular, and that an end to freedom of movement could threaten this.
Mr Blackford added: “The Scottish Government’s proposals will boost Scotland’s population, grow our economy and protect public services.
“The UK Government’s policies threaten to plunge our working age population into decline.”
Mr Johnson responded: “We will have exactly such a thing, we will have a points-based system that will deliver the immigration this whole country needs.”
He added: “The way to boost the population of Scotland is not to have a Scottish government that taxes the population of Scotland to oblivion and that fails to deliver results in their schools.
“The SNP have not had a debate in their parliament on education for two years, what are they debating today – whether or not to fly the EU flag? They should get on with the day job.”
The jibe came as MSPS prepared themselves to vote on whether to keep the European flag flying at Holyrood after the UK leaves the EU tomorrow.
The parliament’s corporate body management group had decided to take the flag down at the moment of Brexit, but the Scottish Government has pushed for a vote in the chamber, citing the 62% Remain vote north of the border.