ONS Data Shows Need for Migrations Powers

Levers Must be Devolved to Scotland

The SNP has said that new data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows why Scotland urgently needs control of immigration powers.

ONS charts outlined that if net migration fell to zero the population of the UK would halve in the next 100 years, falling to around 35 million people.

Given Westminster’s obsession with cutting migration, these figures outline just how disastrous right-wing immigration policies would be on Scotland in the long term.

Scotland urgently needs more immigration in order to tackle rural depopulation, support vital public services, and grow our economy.

In light of these figures, the SNP is renewing calls for the Scottish Parliament to have the powers to implement a migration system that works for Scotland.

WATCH LIVE | First Minister John Swinney calls on Westminster to develop 'tailored' migration policy for Scotland. https://t.co/BeaBCbvqV5
— STV News (@STVNews) January 22, 2025

These ONS figures are alarming and only serve to demonstrate Westminster’s commitment to a UK in long-term decline.

Their right-wing immigration policies are particularly senseless when applied to Scotland, where immigration is desperately needed to support an ageing population.

The SNP wants to tackle rural depopulation, strengthen our public services, and continue to grow our economy – and inward migration is a key part of that.

The suggestion of devolving migration powers was just yet another broken pledge by Labour under Starmer and Sarwar – what Scotland needs is the full powers of an independent nation state.
GRAEME

We need people to come here—to live, work, and thrive.

Migration isn’t just welcome; it’s essential for tax revenue, public services, and business success.

Brexit and Westminster’s anti-growth stance are holding us back.

Scotland deserves better. Let’s choose progress. pic.twitter.com/3w9sgtCj22
— The SNP (@theSNP) January 22, 2025