HELENSBURGH’S MSP has joined colleagues at Holyrood in strongly criticising the UK Government’s controversial new immigration proposals which will include a salary threshold.

The new plans, unveiled by Home Secretary Priti Patel, will mean overseas citizens will have to reach a total of 70 “points” to be able to work in the UK.

The Helensburgh and Lomond area’s MSP said the proposed new system would be rendered “meaningless” by the number of exemptions it would require.

And West of Scotland Green MSP Ross Greer went further by describing the plans as “racist”, and said they would “devastate” Scotland’s economy.

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The points total can be achieved by receiving a job offer from a UK employer, speaking good English, achieving an annual salary of at least £25,600 and having a relevant PhD in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subject.

The proposals were attacked by many MSPs, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon expressing outrage on Twitter where she wrote: “It labels vital workers making a big contribution as ‘low skilled’ and slams the door in their faces.”

Ms Baillie agreed with the First Minister, saying: “These proposed new immigration laws are not what Boris Johnson had promised.

“The UK government was supposed to be introducing an Australian style points system.

“Instead what we have is a salary threshold system, which will need so many exemptions that it will be meaningless.

“Anything that makes it more difficult to attract the workers we need, at all skill levels in Scotland, will have an impact on our economy.

“That’s why the UK Government needs to work with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales to ensure we have an immigration system which works for the whole of the UK.”

Mr Greer added: “The racist immigration plans outlined by the UK Government are appalling and will simply devastate the Scottish economy.

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“Immigrants enrich our communities. They are our friends and neighbours, they staff our public services, and they keep sectors like tourism and agriculture going.

“Yet again, the Tories seem to have chosen a policy almost tailor-made to damage Scotland.”

However, Maurice Golden, Scottish Conservative MSP for West Scotland, agreed in principle with the proposals, saying: “With the UK Government having kept their promise to deliver a new points-based immigration system, we must work closely with them to ensure the specific needs of Scotland’s economy are met going forward.

“The plans will help to attract more qualified people for our high tech and education sector and I am committed to working with UK Government ministers to ensure that the needs of industries across Scotland are met.

“Fundamentally, the Scottish Conservatives and the SNP agree in a fair and transparent points based system.

“We need to make sure Scotland is a welcoming place, but the nationalist agenda promoted by the SNP is counter to that.”

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