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Political Perspectives on Immigration to Scotland

Political Perspectives on Immigration to Scotland. Prof Christina Boswell, University of E dinburgh Conference on Immigration and the Referendum Debate COSLA, 7 February 2014, Edinburgh. Making Sense of the Debate. 1. Does Scotland need more immigrants? Can it get them?

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Political Perspectives on Immigration to Scotland

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  1. Political Perspectives on Immigration to Scotland Prof Christina Boswell, University of Edinburgh Conference on Immigration and the Referendum Debate COSLA, 7 February 2014, Edinburgh

  2. Making Sense of the Debate • 1. Does Scotland need more immigrants? Can it get them? • 2. Public opinion and the politics of migration • 3. Immigration policy after the referendum

  3. Net Migration to/from Scotland

  4. Share of Foreign-Born Population in Scotland

  5. Demographic Effects Projected Population Structure for Scotland/UK (Office of National Statistics)

  6. Inflows of Foreign Nationals to European Countries (1000s). Source: OECD

  7. Current UK Immigration Policy: Points Based System • Tier 1 Highly-skilled (capped at 1,000) • Tier 2 Skilled with job offer (capped at 20,700) • Tier 3 Low-skilled (suspended from outset) • Tier 4 Students (more stringent conditions and oversight, cannot switch to Tier 1) • Tier 5 Temporary workers/youth mobility • Family migration: language requirement; minimum income £18,600 (partner), £22,400 (child)

  8. 2. Public Opinion Immigration as a salient policy issue across Europe • Impact on jobs/wages • Welfare and fairness • Cultural impacts • Are the Scottish more tolerant?

  9. Increase/Decrease Immigration?

  10. Economic/cultural impacts

  11. Political salience (source: IPSOS Mori, 2014)

  12. 3. After the Referendum SNP proposals for an independent Scotland: • Expanded points system, graduate labour market access • Humane treatment for asylum-seekers • Scotland within the Common Travel Area

  13. Border control • Schengen or CTA? • Border control and irregular migration • Constraints to an independent policy?

  14. Outlook • Can Scotland attract migrants to reach population targets? • More liberal immigration policy • Attractive economic and social conditions • Would it be an independent policy? • Within CTA: possible concerns about irregular flows • Will it garner public support? • Need for cross-party consensus • An Immigration Commission for Scotland?

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