Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill — 25 Apr 2025 at 13:13

“If, in the course of the negotiations, the Scottish Parliament wants to play a role in deciding how a visa system could work, much as it works in other parts of the European Economic Area, then that is something we’ll look into.”

“the numbers who would come in the future would be decided by the Westminster Parliament and the Holyrood Parliament working together.”

“I’ve had a number of conversations with Yvette Cooper and UK colleagues in the run-up to the election and since the election. They already want to reform the Migration Advisory Committee to make sure there is proper Scottish representation. They recognise there are different migration needs in different parts of the country”.

“I would expect governments to work together, to talk to each other, to respond to each other’s needs…At the moment there are no plans for one”-

“but I think if you have governments taking common-sense approaches that an incoming Labour government would do, then dialogue will continue.”

“we will work with the Scottish Government when designing workforce plans for different sectors. This will ensure our migration and skills policies work for every part of the UK.”

“both of Scotland’s Governments to work together”

“to ensure that rules are sensitive to the skills that are needed in every corner of these islands and in every sector of our economy.”-[Scottish Parliament Official Report, 9 January 2025; c. 69.]

“The hospitality and tourism industry across Scotland has been calling for a Scotland visa for some time. We believe it really is one of the ways in which we can help address the skills and workforce shortage that we have in the industry.”

“Failure to find a tailored solution risks having a further detrimental impact on the economy and opportunities for economic growth”

“Introducing a Scottish specific visa scheme not only would match immigration to the demand for certain skills”-

“but also encourage more people coming to live and work in Scotland, particularly in rural and island communities that are experiencing a drain in people of working age and families.”

“The current UK immigration system is failing the social care sector in Scotland. The recent rule changes, particularly the ban on dependents”-

“and the incompatible increase in the minimum salary threshold, exacerbate existing recruitment challenges and pose significant risks to the sustainability and delivery of essential care services.”

“Bespoke visa schemes for Scotland, combined with expanding international outreach activities in relation to immigration to advertise these new arrangements, would be an effective way of ensuring that immigration policy meets Scotland’s needs.”

“SCDI supports greater flexibilities on immigration for Scotland to respond to its distinct demographic and employment needs... Other countries”-

“successfully operate regional migration schemes which target the specific needs of their economies and SCDI believes that there are workable options for more differentiation in the UK’s system.”

“There is a strong unified voice across all sectors in Scotland in favour of a flexible immigration system that can meet our particular economic, workforce and population needs. For many years, COSLA has been calling for an immigration system that can be responsive to local as well as national needs and that recognises and addresses the challenges that we face.”

“There is no reason why Westminster cannot create an immigration system which takes Scotland’s different situation into account. It is important to remember that this has been done before, through the Fresh Talent Initiative”,

“need an immigration system that supports our higher education sector”.

“We have created additional barriers, burdens and borders where there were none before, and we have added no benefit whatsoever for those receiving…payments either north or south of the border.”-[Official Report, Third Delegated Legislation Committee, 25 February 2025; c. 5.]

“there would be dialogue and discussion but we need to recognise that growing home-grown talent is really important.

At the moment there are no plans for”

“but I think if you have governments taking common-sense approaches”

“an incoming Labour Government would do,”

“including asylum and the status and capacity of persons in the United Kingdom who are not British citizens”.

“We will strengthen the Migration Advisory Committee, and establish a framework for joint working with skills bodies across the UK, the Industrial Strategy Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. The needs of our economy are different across the regions and nations, and different sectors have different needs. Given skills policy and employment support are devolved we will work with the Scottish Government when designing workforce plans for different sectors. This will ensure our migration and skills policies work for every part of the UK.”

“The next UK Labour Government will also ensure that UK-wide bodies are more representative of our nations and regions, this includes representation for Scotland on the Industrial Strategy Council, and Scottish skills bodies working jointly with the Migration Advisory Committee.”

“no plans to devolve immigration. The new system will recognise the needs of all the nations and regions of the UK, including Scotland.”

“I look forward to working with the Home Office and engaging with sectors on ensuring that immigration works for all parts of the UK.”-[Official Report, 4 September 2024; Vol. 753, c. 299.]

“the current migration system is not very effective in dealing with the particular problems remote communities experience… If these problems are to be addressed something more bespoke for these areas is needed.”

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