SCOTTISH Secretary Alister Jack was criticised for making "pretty poor" comments about migrants to MSPs earlier today.
While giving evidence on the UK's future relationship with the EU to Holyrood's Culture, Transport, Europe and External Affairs Committee, Jack suggested European migrants have come "on the basis that they get access to our NHS and our benefits system".
READ MORE: Scottish Secretary Alister Jack says he's against 'Boris Bridge'
SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing spoke out against the "level of debate" the Scottish Secretary had provided.
Speaking on the post-Brexit immigration system, Jack said: "There’s been a tendency in the past for us to bring in cheap migrant labour and they’ve come on the basis that they get access to our NHS and our benefits system.
Alister Jack: "There's been a tendency in the past for us to bring in cheap migrant labour, and they've come on the basis that they get access to our NHS and our benefits system" pic.twitter.com/UOtRiFezYN
— Sarah Mackie (@lumi_1984) March 5, 2020
"I think going forward we have to, I think as you know the rules will be they’ll make a contribution towards the NHS for the next five years, and then that will change – but it’s right that while they’re doing that employers should be paying them more money.
"And we should be proud of doing that, we should be looking to raise wages and not try and still operate a low-wage economy."
Ewing pointed out that the Scottish Government has proposed a real living wage as a matter of policy to help achieve that goal, while she was not aware of such a UK Government pledge.
She went on: "But on the issue of the statement you made about Europeans coming here to get access to our health service, I think really that level of debate about the participation of EU nationals in Scottish economic life and Scottish life is really pretty poor –"
Jack replied: "I didn’t say that. You’re putting words in my mouth."
There has been concern over the Tories' proposed points-based immigration system on the basis that it could negatively impact Scotland's economy.
The Scottish Government has called on Westminster to consider a Scotland-only visa as part of its plans. However, this has been consistently ruled out - despite experts calling such a move "entirely possible".
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