European Union (Croatian Accession and Irish Protocol) Bill

Debate between Russell Brown and Keith Vaz

Tuesday 27th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab)]

As I have pointed out on a number of occasions, in around 2008-09 the largest group of people who entered the UK, numbering around 85,000, were UK citizens returning home when things got difficult on the European mainland.

[Keith Vaz]

I agree entirely.

To say that there are no skills shortages in this country in the sectors where some of those from the accession countries have come to work is completely wrong. Speeches that I have heard from the Scottish National party and its leader, for example, acknowledge a shortage of people for a number of skilled jobs. I have heard them say in their speeches that they want to encourage people to come to Scotland in order to work there. Such shortages exist in various parts of the country, where people will be most welcome to come and work in those sectors.