Brexit plans to introduce a £30,000 salary threshold for EU nationals have been branded as “foolish”, amid fears businesses in Tayside may suffer.
Figures show the majority of people in Scotland’s cities do not currently meet the salary threshold, which has led to concerns from local officials over the prospects for attracting key workers in future.
Councillors in Dundee will consider a report outlining the fears at a meeting of the city’s policy and resources committee meeting on Monday.
The 2018 immigration white paper suggested a minimum salary threshold of £30,000 for workers with intermediate skills.
The restriction currently exists for non-EU migrants, but it is expected to be extended to EU workers after Brexit.
The plans are part of the UK government’s plans to introduce a new border and immigration system following the end of free movement of people when Britain leaves the EU.
However, figures from the Scottish Cities Alliance suggest half of all employees in Scotland’s seven cities earn less than £30,000.
The data also shows fewer than 50% of occupations in key sectors pay wages to a level that meets the required threshold.
These sectors include social care, construction, digital and travel and leisure.
Scotland’s average salary in 2018 was £23,833.
West End councillor Fraser MacPherson said the Brexit plans would leave the city’s businesses vulnerable and potentially hamper growth in the digital and tourism industries, which have become increasingly important to the fortunes of the Tayside area in recent years.
He said: “I think it is a very foolish threshold to introduce.
“There is clearly a concern that there could be an adverse impact on local businesses, and indeed businesses throughout the country.
“We should be encouraging the growth of our businesses instead and in my view it is something that the UK government will have to reassess.”
The council report stresses the important role non-UK nationals play in contributing to the Dundee economy.
Councillors will be told Dundee’s “highly innovative, technological” companies may struggle to operate if a restriction is introduced.
