Jump directly to the content
Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled plans for a Scottish Visa to combat depopulation
FM'S VISA CALL

Nicola Sturgeon unveils plans for Scottish Visa to battle depopulation after Brexit brings end to freedom of movement

THE Scottish Government have today unveiled plans to introduce a "Scottish Visa" in a bid to boost migration and combat the ending of freedom of movement after Brexit.

The SNP hope the scheme - closely linked to similar programmes in Canada and Australia - will strengthen the case for immigration policy to be devolved.

 Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled plans for a Scottish Visa to combat depopulation
2
Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled plans for a Scottish Visa to combat depopulationCredit: Getty Images - Getty

And they hope it can help address depopulation and cut the skills gap.

The plan would see the Scottish Visa offered as an option on top of the existing UK immigration routes.

It would see migrants live in Scotland and hold a Scottish tax code.

All of Scotland's population growth over the next two decades is expected to come from migration - unlike the rest of the UK.

 The Scottish Government want immigration powers to be devolved
2
The Scottish Government want immigration powers to be devolvedCredit: PA:Press Association

There are fears that, with Brexit seeing the end of free movement from the EU to Britain and potentially stricter UK immigration policy, Scotland could be worst hit.

Nicola Sturgeon said: “Migration to Scotland supports economic growth and the delivery of public services and helps to address the serious issue of long term demographic change – as well as enhancing and sustaining our communities.

“Yet the latest proposals from the UK Government to control immigration and end freedom of movement would be disastrous for our economy and society and would risk acute labour shortages.


Most Scots believe power to call IndyRef2 should be with Holyrood – NOT Westminster


“Migration is an issue which is crucial for our future, but the Scottish Government doesn’t currently have the powers needed to deliver tailored immigration policies for Scotland.

“Devolving immigration powers by introducing a Scottish Visa would allow Scotland to attract and retain people with the skills and attributes we need for our communities and economy to flourish."

In 2018, the Scottish Government released a document called Scotland's Population Needs and Migration Policy, which looked at a devolved visa scheme.

In the paper, which called for devolution of migration policy, it highlighted that EU citizens are "helping to grow [Scotland's] economy and address skills shortages within key sectors."

It also noted how similar programmes have been implemented in Canada and Australia, where the immigration needs of certain regions differ substantially from others.

It said: "Differentiated or regional approaches to migration are neither novel nor unusual in the international context.

"Both countries operate points-based systems that have a focus on permanently growing their populations through inward migration.

“Devolving immigration powers by introducing a Scottish Visa would allow Scotland to attract and retain people with the skills and attributes we need for our communities and economy to flourish."

Nicola Sturgeon

"However, the federal governments of both recognized that the limited dispersal patterns of new migrants were contributing to increased inequality between regions.

"In order to widen the benefits of migration, both Canada and Australia have encouraged and enabled regional governments to devise special programmes to attract migrants to areas beyond their primary urban centres."

And it highlighted how this was relevant in the UK, adding: "There is some commonality with Scotland's situation in relation to the rest of the UK.

"We need people to settle in Scotland, to make their homes here, to bring their families and to contribute to our long term future prosperity.

"UK Ministers have suggested that they want future migration to be short term with individuals returning to their country of origin.

"These are fundamentally different priorities and it is difficult for one approach to meet both needs."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon shows off her 'rusty' pint-pulling skills at Brew Dog event


We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5300


Topics