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| Sturgeon calls for powers to set up 'Scottish visa' system | Sturgeon calls for powers to set up 'Scottish visa' system |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Nicola Sturgeon has called for powers to be devolved to Holyrood to set up a "Scottish visa" system designed to help boost immigration. | Nicola Sturgeon has called for powers to be devolved to Holyrood to set up a "Scottish visa" system designed to help boost immigration. |
| The first minister wants a "tailored" approach aimed at bringing people in to offset Scotland's ageing population. | The first minister wants a "tailored" approach aimed at bringing people in to offset Scotland's ageing population. |
| However powers over immigration are currently reserved to Westminster. | However powers over immigration are currently reserved to Westminster. |
| The UK government has set out some of its plans for post-Brexit migration policy, promising fast-track entry for leading scientists and researchers. | The UK government has set out some of its plans for post-Brexit migration policy, promising fast-track entry for leading scientists and researchers. |
| Freedom of movement between the UK and the EU is expected to end after the Brexit transition period on 31 December, with UK ministers aiming to introduce a new points-based system thereafter. | Freedom of movement between the UK and the EU is expected to end after the Brexit transition period on 31 December, with UK ministers aiming to introduce a new points-based system thereafter. |
| The Scottish government has long campaigned for immigration powers to be held at Holyrood, with the SNP's manifesto for December's general election calling for a "tailored migration system" to respond to local demographic needs. | The Scottish government has long campaigned for immigration powers to be held at Holyrood, with the SNP's manifesto for December's general election calling for a "tailored migration system" to respond to local demographic needs. |
| There are concerns about Scotland's ageing population and shrinking workforce, with the National Records of Scotland projecting that deaths could outweigh births over the next 25 years. | There are concerns about Scotland's ageing population and shrinking workforce, with the National Records of Scotland projecting that deaths could outweigh births over the next 25 years. |
| Scottish ministers say this means greater inward migration is needed to boost Scotland's working-age population in particular, and that an end to freedom of movement could threaten this. | Scottish ministers say this means greater inward migration is needed to boost Scotland's working-age population in particular, and that an end to freedom of movement could threaten this. |
| However the UK government has always resisted the idea of devolving control over immigration, saying its plans will "work in the interests of the whole United Kingdom, including Scotland". | |
| And the Migration Advisory Committee has said Scotland's needs are "not sufficiently different" from the rest of the UK to justify a "very different" system, with the north of England facing similar issues. | And the Migration Advisory Committee has said Scotland's needs are "not sufficiently different" from the rest of the UK to justify a "very different" system, with the north of England facing similar issues. |
| At present there are a number of different routes to securing a visa to enter the UK, ranging from schemes for skilled workers, students and investors to people with family already resident and those of "exceptional talent". | At present there are a number of different routes to securing a visa to enter the UK, ranging from schemes for skilled workers, students and investors to people with family already resident and those of "exceptional talent". |
| The system proposed by Ms Sturgeon would add a Scottish-specific visa, controlled from Holyrood, which new migrants could choose to apply for instead of one of the existing routes. | The system proposed by Ms Sturgeon would add a Scottish-specific visa, controlled from Holyrood, which new migrants could choose to apply for instead of one of the existing routes. |
| MSPs would decide the criteria for this new visa, and the Scottish government would receive and assess applications before sending them to the UK government for security checks. | MSPs would decide the criteria for this new visa, and the Scottish government would receive and assess applications before sending them to the UK government for security checks. |
| Those applying for such a visa would need to remain resident in Scotland and pay tax locally, but would have a route to permanent settlement - unlike existing schemes for unskilled or temporary workers. | Those applying for such a visa would need to remain resident in Scotland and pay tax locally, but would have a route to permanent settlement - unlike existing schemes for unskilled or temporary workers. |
| Ms Sturgeon said: "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. | Ms Sturgeon said: "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." | "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." |
| The proposed system would require extra powers to be devolved to Holyrood, but Ms Sturgeon said it could also be used in the event of Scotland becoming independent. | The proposed system would require extra powers to be devolved to Holyrood, but Ms Sturgeon said it could also be used in the event of Scotland becoming independent. |
| 'Proud history' | 'Proud history' |
| The UK government aims to open its new fast-track system for scientists, researchers and mathematicians from 20 February. | The UK government aims to open its new fast-track system for scientists, researchers and mathematicians from 20 February. |
| Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the "global talent" system - which will replace the existing "exceptional talent" route - would put no cap on the number of people able to come to the UK, provided they work in a qualifying field and have been endorsed by a recognised UK body. | Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the "global talent" system - which will replace the existing "exceptional talent" route - would put no cap on the number of people able to come to the UK, provided they work in a qualifying field and have been endorsed by a recognised UK body. |
| He said: "The UK has a proud history of scientific discovery, but to lead the field and face the challenges of the future we need to continue to invest in talent and cutting edge research. | He said: "The UK has a proud history of scientific discovery, but to lead the field and face the challenges of the future we need to continue to invest in talent and cutting edge research. |
| "That is why as we leave the EU I want to send a message that the UK is open to the most talented minds in the world, and stand ready to support them to turn their ideas into reality." | "That is why as we leave the EU I want to send a message that the UK is open to the most talented minds in the world, and stand ready to support them to turn their ideas into reality." |
| The Lib Dems said the plan did not go far enough, saying that "changing the name of a visa and removing a cap that's never been hit is not a serious plan". | The Lib Dems said the plan did not go far enough, saying that "changing the name of a visa and removing a cap that's never been hit is not a serious plan". |
| Meanwhile Scottish Labour gave a tentative welcome to Ms Sturgeon's plans, saying they "support exploring a degree of flexibility within an overarching UK immigration system". | Meanwhile Scottish Labour gave a tentative welcome to Ms Sturgeon's plans, saying they "support exploring a degree of flexibility within an overarching UK immigration system". |