UK Government being ‘anti-growth’ on migration – John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney has accused the UK Government of taking an “anti-growth” position on migration.

Setting out his proposal for a tailored migration policy for Scotland, the first minister will argue that the working-age population needs to be boosted by more people coming into the country.

The first minister will also set out his case for rejoining the European Union.

In a speech in Glasgow, Swinney is expected to say: “The UK Government is being dragged in an anti-growth direction by the prevailing political consensus at Westminster which is determined to limit migration and is hostile to EU membership.

“This consensus does not represent Scotland’s economic interests. So I want to work with industry and civic society to draw the UK Government back towards mainstream positions that work for Scotland.

“We need a renewed focus on a migration policy that works for Scotland.”

He will call for an “evidence-based” migration policy to increase tax revenues and support business needs.

He will also call for a fresh scheme designed to allow international students to stay in Scotland post-graduation, akin to the Fresh Talent initiative brought in by Labour in 2004.

Population statistics published by the National Records of Scotland yesterday found net migration to Scotland has almost doubled between the year to mid-2021 and mid-2022.

This was driven in large part by an increase in international migration, with net migration figures showing an increase of 42,600 in mid-2022. This was due to a combination of more in-migration and lower levels of out-migration.

Scotland’s natural population is expected to decline in the coming decades as deaths outnumber births, but the overall population is projected to continue increasing into the 2030s due to migration.

The population is also projected to continue aging, with the number of people aged 65 and over set to grow by nearly a third by mid-2045.