STUC calls for immigration change

Bill Speirs makes economy demands to parties

Scotland needs a boost of 25,000 new workers each year if the economy is to prosper, a trade unionist leader has stated.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) is calling for changes to the immigration policy as part of a series of demands for the economy.

It issued its targets on the eve of its annual conference in Dundee.

General secretary Bill Speirs said the STUC was issuing a challenge "to every political party in Scotland".

The organisation wants to see a change to Scotland's immigration policy, allowing for 25,000 new arrivals each year to reduce economic inactivity.

We recognise that there are some hard choices, which have to be made Bill Speirs STUC General Secretary

It is asking for state aid for the manufacturing industry to be raised to match the European average and a "revitalisation" of the public sector.

Calls are also being made for improvements to employment rights and a balanced energy policy.

Mr Speirs added: "We recognise that there are some hard choices, which have to be made."

He said that if Labour achieved a third term it must provide further legislation to improve employment rights and boost productivity.

"Much has been achieved in terms of stability and employment. "But that a third term must be a bold term," he said.

'Constitutional wrangling'

Mr Speirs believed that for the sake of Scotland, the SNP should forget about "constitutional wrangling" and put the economy on centre stage.

The union boss added: "We need to hear far less about cutting corporation tax and far more about quality employment and public services.

"To the Tories we say, apart from being morally bankrupt, your stance on immigration is profoundly anti-economic growth.

"Meanwhile, your attacks on the public sector are attacks on the very infrastructure of Scotland."

He added that the Liberals, SNP and Greens, should think carefully about energy policy.

"To pretend that Scotland can have a clean balanced energy policy without conventional generating options is misleading and unsustainable," Mr Speirs said.