Close Menu
Graeme DeyGraeme Dey
  • News
    • Angus South
    • Holyrood
    • Westminster
    • Education
  • About
    • Graeme Dey MSP
    • GDPR
      • Privacy Policy
      • Child Data Protection
      • Cookies
  • Surgeries
  • Issues
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Law & Order
    • Social Security
    • Transport
    • Devolved and Reserved Powers
  • Gallery
    • 2021 –
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
    • 2016 – 2020
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
    • 2011 – 2015
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
  • Videos
    • Members’ Business
    • Questions
      • First Minister’s Questions
      • General Questions
      • Portfolio Questions
      • Topical Questions
  • Contact
    • Contact Graeme
    • Generic Consent Form
    • NHS Consent Form
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
Wednesday, May 14
Graeme DeyGraeme Dey
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
  • News
    1. Angus South
    2. Holyrood
    3. Westminster
    4. Education
    5. View All

    Graeme’s Column

    18th April 2025

    14 Years of free prescriptions under the SNP Government

    2nd April 2025

    Pension Age Disability Payment opens in Angus

    24th March 2025

    Graeme’s Column

    21st March 2025

    One Year Until Scottish Parliament Election

    9th May 2025

    Labour Will Never Scrap 2-Child Cap

    30th April 2025

    Commitment to Safeguarding Democracy

    25th April 2025

    Rent Control Consultation Published

    23rd April 2025

    Labour immigration policy threatens Scotland’s NHS

    13th May 2025

    Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

    12th May 2025

    Delay RTS Shutdown or Compensate Scots

    9th May 2025

    Grangemouth Stops Refining Oil

    30th April 2025

    Education Secretary visits University of Dundee

    15th April 2025

    Improving outdoor play

    24th March 2025

    Widening Access to University Education

    20th March 2025

    £4,900+ a Year for Student Carers

    20th March 2025

    Call for more foster carers

    13th May 2025

    Graeme’s Column

    13th May 2025

    Labour immigration policy threatens Scotland’s NHS

    13th May 2025

    Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

    12th May 2025
  • About
    • Graeme Dey MSP
    • GDPR
      • Privacy Policy
      • Child Data Protection
      • Cookies
  • Surgeries
  • Issues
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Law & Order
    • Social Security
    • Transport
    • Devolved and Reserved Powers
  • Gallery
    • 2021 –
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
    • 2016 – 2020
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
    • 2011 – 2015
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
  • Videos
    • Members’ Business
    • Questions
      • First Minister’s Questions
      • General Questions
      • Portfolio Questions
      • Topical Questions
  • Contact
    • Contact Graeme
    • Generic Consent Form
    • NHS Consent Form
Graeme DeyGraeme Dey
You are at:Home»Holyrood»Migration in an Independent Scotland

Migration in an Independent Scotland

JamieBy Jamie3rd November 202317 Views3 Mins Read Holyrood
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp

Supporting Those Who Want to Live & Work Here

Scotland would benefit from the creation of a migration system that could boost the economy and better meet the country’s needs according to a new paper on independence published by Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.

‘Migration to Scotland after independence’, the sixth paper in the Building a New Scotland series, sets out the Scottish Government’s proposals for how migration and asylum could work in an independent Scotland.

The proposals include new visa routes to make it easier for people to live, work, study and invest in Scotland, to support population growth in rural and island areas and key economic sectors such as tourism and hospitality.

Asylum and migration policy would also be overhauled from the current UK system, with people seeking asylum given the right to work and access employability services, to help integration and address key labour market shortages.

The paper also includes details on a simplified immigration system with lower fees and new public agencies to manage how migration and citizenship systems would operate, in line with the Scottish Government’s commitment to re-join the EU as an independent nation.

The latest of these significant papers in the Building a New Scotland series is welcome and timely.

The focus on immigration is important as we see the UK government and Labour opposition alike pulling in a direction that is the opposite of what Scotland requires for growth and success.

It is a key area where Scotland absolutely needs to control the levers, if we are not to be dragged along on Brexit Britain’s decline.

Scotland is a fundamentally open and welcoming nation and here in Angus and across the country we are in real need of workers in key areas since being forced out of the EU. Our migration policy should reflect that.

GRAEME
https://twitter.com/scotgov/status/1720410639858856258

Our future success as a country is dependent above all else on the people who live here, and we value all those who have chosen to settle in Scotland for their invaluable contribution to our society and economy. 

This paper published today sets out how, with independence, we could help ensure that success with a migration system specifically tailored to Scotland’s needs, to make it easier for more people to settle and integrate here. 

Scotland’s population is set to fall, unlike other UK nations, under current constitutional arrangements. This means fewer people working, paying taxes and contributing to public services like the NHS. Yet Scotland is subject to the UK Government’s hostile approach to immigration which is damaging our economy.

Control of our own migration policy would enable us to replace that approach with a system that has dignity, fairness and respect at its core, recognising above all that this is about individuals and their families.

It is these values that will determine an independent Scotland’s approach to migration and asylum policy – to benefit our country and the people who would call it home.

SOCIAL JUSTICE SECRETARY, SHIRLEY-ANNE SOMERVILLE

Background

Building a New Scotland: Migration to Scotland after independence

The previous five papers have set out evidence showing independent countries comparable to Scotland are wealthier and fairer than the UK; how Scottish democracy can be renewed with independence; the macroeconomic framework, including currency arrangements, for an independent Scotland; how rights and equality could be at the heart of a written constitution developed by the people of Scotland; and how citizenship could work in an independent Scotland.

Building a New Scotland immigration immigration in an independent Scotland immigration policy Migration
Previous ArticleIncreased Fees for NHS Dentists
Next Article Scotland Needs Better Migration Policy
Jamie
  • Website

I’m Graeme’s Parliamentary Assistant based at Holyrood, but I support his constituency work as well. Having been Caseworker to an Aberdeenshire MP some years prior, joining Graeme's team in 2019 was a return to this line of work from a role in fundraising.

Related Posts

Labour immigration policy threatens Scotland’s NHS

13th May 2025

Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

12th May 2025

One Year Until Scottish Parliament Election

9th May 2025
latest news

Call for more foster carers

Graeme’s Column

Labour immigration policy threatens Scotland’s NHS

Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

About
About

Graeme Dey is the the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Angus South Constituency.

Having worked for The Courier newspaper for 26 years, Graeme was elected to Holyrood in 2011.

In March 2023, Graeme was chosen by First Minister Humza Yousaf to be Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
Latest Posts

Call for more foster carers

Graeme’s Column

Labour immigration policy threatens Scotland’s NHS

Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

Flickr Photos
Transport Police
RM Condor Parliament 2
D&A College (Apprenticeship Week) 6
Deaf Hub 3
DofE3
Humza and Graeme close up pro
Humza Graeme Sign
Independence Convention
July7 Surgery 2]
CWA Parl 3
20230712_104835
20230712_110433
Banking Hub 1
SSERC
Ayrshire College
Poverty Alliance
© 2025 Graeme Dey MSP. No parliamentary funds have been used to create and maintain this website. Promoted by G. Dey, 282 High St, DD11 1JF.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.