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Scottish Labour leader calls for better pay and training as UK visa changes spark concern
Scotland’s social care sector is facing serious pressure but relying on migrants to plug the gaps is not a sustainable solution, according to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
Speaking after his party’s policy conference in Edinburgh, Sarwar said Scotland needs structural reform, better wages, and clearer career pathways for local workers if it wants to strengthen its care system for the long term.
His comments come at a time when many immigrants including those from Africa are closely watching new UK immigration policies that could reshape pathways to settlement and long-term stability in the country.
A Warning About the Impact of New UK Immigration Rules
Last week, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood rolled out a series of proposed immigration changes, including:
Increasing the settlement wait from five years to ten for most workers.
Forcing those on post-Brexit health and social care visas to wait 15 years.
Extending the settlement wait to 20 years for migrants who rely on benefits for more than 12 months.
Applying these rules to the 2.6 million migrants who arrived since 2021
For Scotland, where the care sector relies heavily on international talent, these proposals have triggered alarm.
Scottish Care, the organization representing independent care providers warned that the new system would have a “profoundly negative impact” on staffing levels, making Scotland less attractive to foreign workers who currently play a vital role.
Chief executive Donald Macaskill said the care sector is already battling major workforce shortages, and policies that delay settlement “tie workers’ futures to restrictive criteria discouraging them from staying.
Sarwar: Fix the System, Not the Migrants
Sarwar acknowledged the severe crisis in Scotland’s social care industry but argued that long-term solutions must come from within Scotland.
“It is not appropriate to pay poverty wages to social care workers and then rely on immigrants to fill those jobs,” he said.
Instead, he called for:
Proper funding for the social care system
Better pay to attract Scottish workers
Clear career development pathways
Training opportunities to encourage locals to stay in the sector
Sarwar stressed that Scotland should remain open and welcoming but should not build its workforce strategy around migrant labour because the country is not investing enough in its own people.
The Bigger Picture: Skills, Migration, and Scotland’s Future
Sarwar also highlighted a frustrating trend many educated Scots, including nurses, doctors, and teachers, end up leaving the country because they struggle to find good jobs at home.
We spend tens of thousands training people, but many feel they must emigrate to use their skills, he said.
He insists that a managed migration system is still needed, but one that balances skill shortages and immigration rather than relying on migrant workers alone.
New Promises From Scottish Labour
During the conference, Sarwar unveiled several proposals ahead of next May’s Holyrood elections, including:
1. A new Mental Health Emergency Response Service
A specialized service designed to support people in crisis, reducing the pressure on police and freeing up as many as 360 officers for frontline work.
2. 9,000 New Apprenticeships
Part of a promise to build “big, bold, meaningful change” and a government that “works as hard as the people it serves.”
Scottish Labour is positioning these policies as alternatives to what Sarwar described as “more failure and waste” under the current SNP leadership.
Scottish Government Pushes Back: “Migration Is Essential”
The Scottish Government, however, strongly disagrees with Sarwar’s tone.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said the UK’s “hostile and restrictive migration policies” are already harming Scotland’s health and social care systems.
He argued that:
Scotland needs migrants
UK-wide restrictions are hurting key sectors
Only independence would allow Scotland to design its own migration system tailored to its labour needs
For now, the Scottish Government says it will do everything possible within devolved powers to lessen the impact of the UK’s new approach.
When Will the New Immigration Rules Begin?
The UK government plans to introduce the changes from spring 2026, after the consultation period ends on 12 February.
This follows another major announcement earlier in the week: a plan to reform asylum rules by ending permanent refugee status and replacing it with a temporary system that requires review every 30 months.
What This Means for Immigrants and African Migrants Watching Scotland
For many Africans and immigrants hoping to work or build a life in the UK, these proposals, especially the extended settlement timelines could influence decisions about where to live, which jobs to take, or whether to choose the UK at all.
Scotland remains welcoming, but political disagreements between Holyrood and Westminster mean migration policies will continue shifting.
If you’re planning to migrate for social care roles, or already working in the sector, these changes could affect:
Your settlement timeline
Your long-term job security
Your ability to bring family or stay permanently
Summary
Scotland’s Labour leader says the country must rebuild its social care system with better pay and domestic workers, rather than depending on migrants — a message clashing with concerns from Scotland’s care sector, which relies heavily on international staff. As the UK rolls out major immigration changes extending settlement timelines, both Scottish and African migrants may face new uncertainties in the coming years.
Disclaimer:
This article is a rewritten news explainer for informational purposes only. It is not legal or immigration advice. Always check official government websites or consult a qualified immigration expert for guidance related to visas, settlement, or travel.