Scottish Chambers of Commerce has welcomed the additional clarity provided by the Prime Minister around the UK Government’s proposals on the rights of EU nationals to remain in the UK.

Commenting, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“EU nationals play a vital role in Scottish business and in the Scottish economy, and our businesses have long called for clarity on the status of EU nationals in the workforce in the wake of the vote for the UK to leave the European Union. That is why the Scottish Chambers of Commerce network called for a deal on the rights of EU citizens in the UK, and UK citizens in the EU, within the first 100 days of this Government

“We therefore welcome the additional clarity provided by the Prime Minister on the UK Government’s offer to the EU in respect of EU nationals. It demonstrates a clear intention to secure the futures of those EU citizens who are already living and working in the UK, whilst providing a path for those arriving or yet to arrive in the UK. It will now be vital for politicians in the UK and the EU to hammer out a deal on this as soon as possible in order to give business the confidence that their colleagues and staff’s futures are secure.

“However, this also serves to underline the need for a plan on the UK’s future system of migration. Artificial and arbitrary limits for future migration will not work for business and we require an assurance that future migration targets will reflect the sectoral and geographical needs of business and the economy for skilled talent.”