Risk of growing staff shortages after departure, says minister

A shortage of skilled workers across Scotland could worsen after Brexit, it has been suggested.

The Scottish Government has submitted evidence to Westminster’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to highlight the country’s recruitment needs ahead of the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Scotland’s migration minister, Ben Macpherson, said the submission illustrates the challenges in retaining and recruiting staff.

The UK’s Immigration White Paper has been a point of contention since its publication in December, with opponents criticising the decision to impose a minimum salary threshold of £30,000.

In Scotland, the average wage is significantly lower, estimated to be around £18,000, raising concerns that it could cause a decrease in the flow of workers from EU and EEA countries.

Mr Macpherson said a “Shortage Occupation List” for Scotland, compiled by the UK Government on the advice of the MAC and which details jobs lacking sufficiently trained professionals in the labour market, should also be adjusted to better fit the country’s needs.

“We’ve argued for some time that there should be a specific role for the Scottish Government in commissioning and determining what occupations are in shortage in Scotland,” said the minister.

“The fact that there is an additional shortage occupation list for Scotland shows that the UK Government recognises to some extent that a one-size-fitsall approach to migration is not appropriate for Scotland.

“The evidence we’ve published today shows how the list could be expanded to go some way to meeting the needs of business and public services here.

“However, even if adjustments are made to the shortage occupation list for Scotland, the UK Government’s Immigration White Paper will still have significantly damaging implications for Scotland.”