KATE FORBES: Change is chance to tackle shortage of workers in Badenoch and Strathspey

A lot of constituents have asked me about my reaction to last week’s election result.

Though the boundaries of the Westminster constituencies changed, I was very sorry to lose Drew Hendry as a Highland MP, and I know that sadness is felt by many. His work on delivery charges, energy prices, inward investment and job creation has been pivotal.

His work ethic, professionalism and determination to make a difference will leave a legacy.

I, of course, offer my huge congratulations to Badenoch and Strathspey’s new MP Graham Leadbitter, and I look forward to working with him and serving our constituents.

At a party level, it certainly was a difficult night, but the priority is to listen to the message that the electorate has sent and to reflect on that.

This was a change election, and that’s what the Scottish Government is going to do.

Competence and integrity must be the hallmark of Scotland’s leadership, and it’s certainly the two words that have been on my lips prior to the election, throughout the election and now in the aftermath of the election.

We do that by being clear that our priorities are the people’s priorities.

That is tackling poverty, it’s delivering economic growth, it’s getting to net zero in a way that doesn’t leave people behind.

And then the way that we govern too, must be transparent and open.

And those are two flags, as it were, that need to be planted on everything that we do.

And I’m very pleased to be supporting John Swinney in his mission to achieve that.

We will listen and work with the new UK Government to focus on serving Scotland well, and met with the new Prime Minister Keir Starmer last weekend.

One example of a fresh approach could be working collaboratively on immigration.

One particular need is for a Scottish rural visa pilot scheme which could allow businesses and organisations in remote and rural communities an exemption from UK immigration rules over hiring EU and other foreign nationals.

The Scottish Government previously sought approval for this scheme, as it would have enabled firms to recruit staff from overseas who earned less than the required income threshold set by the Home Office to obtain a visa under the government’s regulations.

Sectors which have considerably relied on employees from across the EU such as the care sector, hospitality and farming have struggled to fill vacancies with the problem particularly acute in the Highlands and Islands.

The pilot proposes that firms would sponsor foreign nationals for four years during which they would be obliged to live in a more remote community.

We know that it works elsewhere in the world. We know it’s worked previously in this country, and we know that in Scotland, we have a real need.

It’s one of the big asks from the business community, and one of the big asks from, for example, the social care sector for a different immigration policy for Scotland.

Finally, at a local level I am looking to being out and about across Badenoch and Strathspey during the summer recess and hope to see many of you soon.

As always, do get in touch if I can assist you.

Kate Forbes (SNP) is MSP for Badenoch and Deputy Minister of Scotland.

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