RACING to install an Australian-style immigration system will cost Scotland, Holyrood ministers have told the UK Government.
Boris Johnson has said he’ll pursue a points-based system like that used by Australia to curb the number of new arrivals to the UK after Brexit.
But Scottish authorities have repeatedly warned that tougher restrictions aimed at issues in England will hammer our industries and communities.
An official forecast published in October suggests the working age population here will fall by as much as 7000 by mid-2043.
Such a drop would not only hit the country’s tax take, but could also threaten services and communities. Several studies published in recent months suggest remote and rural areas are most at risk of a Brexit-related immigration drain.
But after winning a Westminster majority on a pledge to “get Brexit done”, Johnson has set the UK on a course to leave the European Union by the end of next month, putting a new emphasis on plans for a new immigration framework. And decision-makers in London have repeatedly resisted calls to take Scotland’s needs into account.
Now, in an official submission to an evaluation of a points-based system by Westminster’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), Scottish ministers have warned against the introduction of any salary threshold to restrict migration and called for more time to develop detailed plans.
Scottish Migration Minister Ben Macpherson said: “The Australian immigration system delivers tailored migration policies for different parts of Australia. Similarly, Scotland requires new means and powers to be able to attract, recruit and welcome people to our country based on our needs, values and aspirations.”
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Revealed today, the Holyrood response follows a call for evidence from the committee and urges against breakneck decision-making on the matter, which will affect families as well as individuals.
The response concludes: “Given the importance of this issue we would encourage the UK Government and the MAC to extend the consultation period and undertake a full programme of engagement and consultation focusing on developing an immigration system which meets the needs of all parts of the UK, including Scotland.”
Although Scotland’s population has reached a record high of 5.4 million, the population growth is solely down to migration because the number of deaths exceeds births.
In fact, all of Scotland’s population growth for the next 25 years is expected to come from inward migration, in contrast to the rest of the UK.
Macpherson said: “The evidence clearly illustrates Scotland’s demographic challenges where the age structure of our population is more imbalanced than in the rest of the UK.
“If left unchecked, our demographic challenges will have a serious impact on communities and will increase the risk of skills gaps and labour shortages in key sectors. The impact of Brexit will only exacerbate these challenges as it will be harder for people in the EU to come and work in Scotland.
“Any move by the UK Government to create an Australian-style points-based immigration system must include a commitment to a tailored approach to migration policy for Scotland.”
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced the number of fast-track visas allowing scientists to undertake research at UK universities will double to around 120.
Johnson has said there will be no post-Brexit cap on elite researchers who are endorsed by recognised British bodies and Patel said: “We need an immigration system that attracts the sharpest minds.”
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