UK IMMIGRATION Minister Kevin Foster has complained introducing a separate migration system for Scotland would "create complexity".

Responding to a comment from SNP MP Stephen Flynn, who had pointed to the use of regional visas in Australia as a potential approach to Scotland, Foster said the system would "create complexity".

The Scottish Government has previously outlined the need to grow the country's population, with increasing immigration seen as a possible way forward.

Foster said: "Immigration is and will remain a reserved matter.

"This Government will introduce a points-based immigration system which works in the interests of the whole of the United Kingdom including Scotland.

"Applying different immigration rules to different parts of the UK would significantly complicate the immigration system."

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He added: "We've asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee on several occasions to look at the case around applying different immigration arrangements for different areas of the UK.

"They have consistently recommended against this.

"I think members of this House will realise why it would make no sense, for example a plumber from Gretna to be unable to take on jobs in Carlisle."

Edinburgh South West MP Joanna Cherry then named New Zealand, Switzerland and Canada as some countries with tailored immigration systems that do not need internal borders.

"What possible rationale is there for claiming, as the Prime Minister did last week, that to operate a Scottish visa would require a hard border between Scotland and England?" Cherry asked.

Foster responded: "Again we make very clear the independent Migration Advisory Committee has set out in their report why they do not recommend this type of approach and ultimately, we don't want to see borders at Berwick just to satisfy a separatist obsession and our goal will be to have a system that works and drives success in Scotland and that means being part of a wider, stronger United Kingdom."

Ms Cherry said: "I think the only people satisfying a separatist obsession at the moment are the benches opposite with their hard Brexit.

"But let's try again on this mythical hard border, shall we?

"The United Kingdom has an open land border and shares a common travel area with the Republic of Ireland, which is a country that operates an entirely distinct and independent system.

"It doesn't necessitate a hard border.

"So why should a modest Scottish visa mean a hard border between Scotland and England?

"Let's have an answer to the question for a change."

The minister responded: "Let's be very clear - the Migration Advisory Committee has advised against such a system.

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"It would create complexity in terms of businesses having to work out which staff were on one visa and which were on another and ultimately, we will be guided by independent advice.

"But I'll be absolutely clear, this Government will be creating a migration system that will work for Scotland, will drive success in Scotland but will not drive separation for Scotland."

Two weeks ago First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out her plans to create a unique Scottish visa. 

Speaking about the need for such a system, Sturgeon pointed to the fact that freedom of movement between the UK and Europe is expected to end once the Brexit transition period concludes on December 31.

She added the National Records of Scotland has warned of deaths outweighing births in the next 25 years.

The UK Government rejected the plan on the same day, without clarifying whether they had read the full proposal.