WESTERN Isles (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) MP Angus Brendan MacNeil is writing to the UK government’s immigration minister, Brandon Lewis, calling on him to step in to help the West Coast fishing industry as they struggle with a shortage of crew.
In March, Mr MacNeil criticised the Home Office for failing to consider reintroducing a scheme which would allow non-European Economic Area people to work in the industry.
Mr MacNeil said: ‘The Home Office suggested that the reintroduction of a scheme which would allow non-European Economic Area workers would “entrench a reliance on non- EEA labour” – a suggestion which is, frankly, ridiculous.