Committees

Fife Migrant Forum and community groups discuss immigration after Brexit

20 February 2018

The Scottish Affairs Committee visits Kirkcaldy as part of their inquiry into immigration and Scotland.

Post-Brexit immigration policy

The Committee explores how post-Brexit immigration policy should address the needs of current migrants, the agricultural sector and rural and remote communities.

The Committee talks to members of the Fife Migrant Forum about their experiences of coming to live and work in Scotland. They discuss how the EU referendum result has affected their ability to plan for the future and the affected their likelihood of staying.

The Committee also hears from representatives of the National Farmers Union Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. They examine how different sectors rely on different types of migration, including seasonal and long-term, to meet their skill needs labour. The changes rural communities face in attracting people to move these area and the role migration can play in maintaining population growth are particular focuses.

Witnesses

Tuesday 20 February, Fife Voluntary Action Hub, Fife

At 10am - Fife Migrant Forum

  • Safia Clough
  • Maciej Dokurno
  • Margarita Permonaite

At 10.50am - NFUS

  • Jonnie Hall, Director of Policy and Member Services, NFUS

At 11.30am - COSLA and Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  • Lorraine Cook, Policy Manager, Migration, Population and Diversity Team, COSLA
  • Carroll Buxton, Regional Development Director, Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Chair's comments

Committee Chair Pete Wishart commented:

"I am delighted that we will be hearing from people who have come to Scotland to work, live and contribute to our society.

In amongst the toing-and-froing of negotiations we must not lose sight of the human impact that these decisions will have.

It will be important to find out how the referendum result has affected them and how much information they have been given about their options for the future."

Further information

Image: iStockphoto