The National:

ACROSS the UK, supermarket shelves are bare and businesses are struggling for staff.

The pandemic, Brexit and draconian immigration rules – either introduced and/or mishandled by Boris Johnson’s government – have made life hell for millions of people, and left companies struggling.

Fortunately, Edwina Currie has the perfect solution.

The former Tory MP has taken it upon herself to offer the services of Scotland to save England from a mess of its own making.

Currie, speaking on LBC radio, suggested that the labour crisis could be fixed south of the Border if Scotland sends its “spare” citizens to help out. And that’s not all, the masterplan will help Scots stop Scots from being “dependent” on benefits. Thanks Edwina!

Currie, during a debate with Ian Blackford, was informed that Brexit has been a disaster for Scotland, threatening jobs and leaving many businesses struggling for staff.

She replied: "If you're really that worried about things that we could take from Scotland, and you're worried about possible unemployment and so on, you know, in much of England we're desperately short of people to man the hospitality industry – the cafes, the restaurants, the pubs, if you've got anybody spare, send them down here.

"They will have the freedom to work without having to be so dependent on Universal Credit and they'll have a good career in the future."

Charming.

Blackford, it’s fair to say, wasn’t convinced.

After letting out an audible sigh he pointed to crippling labour shortages in the Highlands and Islands, as well as in the social care sector.

"The main reason we're struggling is we don't have the same access to labour as we had when we were in the European Union,” the SNP Westminster leader explained.

"These are self-induced problems" he warned, pointing the finger squarely at Downing Street. "We're paying a price for the political dogma of Boris,” Blackford added.

READ MORE: Edwina Currie's clash with Piers Morgan sums up English virus guideline confusion

Currie interjected: “You’re still fighting, Ian, you’re still fighting the [Brexit] referendum campaign. And that’s not two years ago, that is five years ago. And you lost it.”

Blackford noted that in fact 62% of Scots voted Remain, trouncing the Leave side.

“We were told if we stayed in the UK, our rights as EU citizens would be respected and we’d be listened to and none of that has happened,” he said.

Complaining that Scotland was “shut out” of the Brexit process, the SNP MP warned: “That’s why ultimately people in Scotland have changed their opinion on independence and why, when the referendum comes, I believe that we will become independent and go back into Europe.”

Let’s hope so, sooner rather than later.