Could devolved immigration plug Scotland’s skills gap?
If Scotland is to halt its declining population and attract talented people to plug skills gaps, then a new way of thinking is needed according to a report from the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI), sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The report ‘Devolved immigration policy system: will it work in Scotland?’ argues that the UK point-based immigration system could be modified to reflect regional requirements, mirroring successful processes adopted in both Canada and Australia –systems which have recently been praised by the Government. In 2005, the UK introduced a points-based immigration system that put factors such as employability, skills and language ability – or more generally “human capital”- at the centre of immigration policy. However the FAI report has questioned whether this really meets Scotland’s future needs and whether there is the political will to take different demographic conditions existing in regions into consideration. It also claims that the system could help de
