General election latest: UK anti-migrant stance 'biggest economic threat' to Scotland, SNP leader claims (2024)

Back to our panel, and they are discussing migration.

James Starkie, the former Home Office adviser, says Labour adopting the OBR's forecast for net migration to fall to 315,000 by 2028 is important.

He says targets are "hostage to fortune" - as the Tories have found out.

But committing to the OBR's figures impacts how a government can forecast their tax income - and this was shown when Liz Truss had to accept large levels of immigration to fund her tax cuts.

Freddie Hayward says that cutting immigration will cost money - taking the example of employing UK people in the care sector costs more as wages are higher.

And that has to be funded from council budgets, who will look to central government for help.

Shadow schools minister Catherine McKinnell is asked by Ali about reports that private schools are blaming Labour's proposed VAT rise on the institutions for closing.

She says it is "right" for private schools to pay VAT - adding that there have been a number of above-inflation rises to school fees in recent years and student numbers have not fallen.

The shadow minister says the money raised from the tax rise will be spent on state schools, where "nine out of ten" children get their education.

She adds that thinktanks have factored behavioural changes into their forecasts of schools fees being taxed - and a net benefit was predicted.

On tonight's Politics Hub with Ali Fortescue, Labour's shadow schools minister Catherine McKinnell was asked about the party's immigration policy.

It comes after Labour made a pledge to reduce net migration (read more here).

Ms McKinnell was asked if her party would stick by the forecasts based on current policy produced by the Office of Budgetary Responsibility (OBR), which stated net migration would fall from 685,000 at the end of last year to 315,000 by the 2027/2028 period.

The Labour candidate first said the party respects the OBR, and that she did not know what the projected figure was.

When Ali told her what the target was, she was unclear if Labour would accept the figure as part of its plans should it take power.

Ms McKinnell then said that "if that's what the OBR is predicting, then that's what we will work within".

Asked if this was then Labour's target to reduce migration, Ms McKinnell says Labour does not have a target for reducing migration.

She adds that immigration can be a benefit to the economy, but UK also needs to grow its on workforce.

Ali turns to your panel to discuss the Diane Abbott row - and the veteran Labour politician standing again for the party (read more here).

Freddie Hayward, a political correspondent at the New Statesman, says what happens this week will decide whether a line has been drawn under the squabble.

He says that, if Ms Abbott comes out in the media it could inflame the situation again.

But if she backs the leadership, then it will maybe see things move on.

James Starkie, a former Home Office adviser, points out that Labour has made a series of decisions which have been questionable.

This includes what happened to Ms Abbott, as well as things like the row back on a £28bn climate pledge.

He says if Labour wants to be in government, it needs to get on top of such events.

Good evening. Welcome to the first Sunday Politics Hub – in case you missed it, we are now going seven days a week - so I will be with you on the weekends from here on in.

And well, today the parties are focusing on two things that always come right at the top of the list of what the public care about.

Healthcare and immigration.

But not necessarily the way round you'd expect, though.

It's Labour pledging to be tough on net migration.

And the Conservatives promising more GP appointments.

Not their traditional turf.

Waiting lists have reached record highs under the Tories.

And for labour - will too tough a message on immigration turn off some voters? The SNP certainly thought so today.

Or is this an election where we're seeing traditional party lines, and potentially the political map, redrawn?

A lot might have happened this week – but look at the polls.

The Labour Party is still miles ahead, holding onto a 20 point lead.

The first TV debate is this week - could a breakout moment in a head-to-head debate shift the polls?

The last episode of the Politics Hub this week is live.

WatchPolitics Hubfrom 7pmevery night during the election campaign on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on theSky News websiteandappor onYouTube.

By political correspondent Darren McCaffrey, in Glasgow

For decades post-war Glasgow was a Labour stronghold, but in recent years the SNP's control of the city came to represent its wider dominance of Scottish politics.

That dominance is now under threat as voters prepare to decide who to back in the upcoming general election.

SNP woes are partly their own making, after a mixed record in Holyrood over the past 17 years - scandal, police investigations and a third leader in 18 months - it is unsurprising their support has slipped significantly.

And that fall has occurred at the same time as Labour's appeal across Britain is on the rise and Scottish independence has become less of a priority for voters.

So the SNP are undoubtedly under pressure, having won 48 MPs in 2019, no-one expects them to replicate anyway near that number in July. When pushed about what winning looks like, party leader John Swinney insists the SNP can remain Scotland's largest party.

But it's not just Labour the SNP needs to worry about.

With the independent question less prominent, and voters concerns elsewhere, the SNP are having to battle the Conservatives too, in rural Scotland and places like Aberdeen, as well as the Liberal Democrats in the Highlands and Islands.

Though at their campaign launch today, whether it was on NHS, Brexit or migration, the attacks were firmly aimed at Labour, party management know they pose the biggest threat across most of the country.

Scotland used to be a Labour fiefdom, it could become so again

And this matters at Westminster too. Because how well, or how badly, the SNP do here could determine whether Rishi Sunak clings on as prime minister or whether it propels Sir Kier Starmer into Downing Street.

On tonight's Politics Hub with Ali Fortescue, Labour's shadow schools minister Catherine McKinnell was asked about the party's immigration policy.

It comes after Labour made a pledge to reduce net migration (read more here).

Ms McKinnell was asked if her party would stick by the forecasts based on current policy produced by the Office of Budgetary Responsibility (OBR), which stated net migration would fall from 685,000 at the end of last year to 315,000 by the 2027/2028 period.

The Labour candidate first said the party respects the OBR, and that she did not know what the projected figure was.

When Ali told her what the target was, she was unclear if Labour would accept the figure as part of its plans should it take power.

Ms McKinnell then said that "if that's what the OBR is predicting, then that's what we will work within".

Asked if this was then Labour's target to reduce migration, Ms McKinnell says Labour does not have a target for reducing migration.

She adds that immigration can be a benefit to the economy, but UK also needs to grow its on workforce.

WatchPolitics Hubfrom 7pmevery night during the election campaign on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on theSky News websiteandappor onYouTube.

There were reports overnight that Diane Abbott might not run as an MP for Labour, and instead join the House of Lords.

But she has now confirmed her plans to stand again for the Commons.

Posting on X, she said: "I have never been offered a seat in the Lords, and would not accept one if offered.

"I am the adopted Labour candidate for Hackney North & Stoke Newington.

"I intend to run and to win as Labour's candidate."

This comes following the row last week, where it was not clear if Labour would back Ms Abbott to be their candidate for the seat she has held for decades.

The finalisation of all Labour candidates is yet to take place.

Ali Fortescue is back tonight at 7pm with the Politics Hub.

Joining her tonight will be health minister and Conservative candidate Maria Caulfield.

And from Labour's side will be shadow schools minister Catherine McKinnell.

On the panel giving their view on today's events will be James Starkie, a former Home Office adviser, and Freddie Hayward, a political correspondent at the New Statesman.

WatchPolitics Hubfrom 7pmevery night during the election campaign on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on theSky News websiteandappor onYouTube.