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NEW SCOTS: Attracting Fresh Talent to meet the Challenge of Growth
INTRODUCTION
Scotland's population is declining. It is predicted to fall below 5 million by 2009 and our demographic profile is ageing. While other European countries and regions are experiencing similar declines, Scotland's is projected to be one of the worst.
The Registrar General for Scotland's projections for the population of Scotland show that:
- the total population of Scotland is projected to fall from 5.05 million in 2002 to 4.84 million in 2027;
- the number of people of working age is projected to fall by 8% from 3.15 million in 2002 to 2.88 million in 2027;
- the number of people of pensionable age is projected to rise by 25% to nearly 1.2 million in 2027.
If this decline is not stemmed then our economy will suffer, there will be severe strain on our public services as an ever ageing population struggles to cope with the challenges of the global economy, and our cultural life will be diminished.
If Scotland is to achieve a balanced economy, with a stable tax base to support strong public services, then we must boost the working age population, particularly the 25 - 45 age group.
In a speech in Edinburgh on 25 February 2003, at a conference on the future of Scotland's cities, the First Minister, Jack McConnell, stated the need to attract more people to live and work in Scotland.
He said:
"I believe in-migration into Scotland can play an important role in helping our economic future.
"Not at the expense of older people, or those currently in the labour market. Nor somehow disregarding the talent we already have. In addition to our own talent though, we should look to fresh talent."
Following his speech a project team was set up in the Scottish Executive to develop proposals which would help the managed migration of new people to Scotland. This team was supported by a steering group, whose members included external interests as well as government officials (membership at Annexe A).
The team considered the following areas:
- Promoting Scotland as a place to live and work
- Promoting Scotland as a destination for people applying for UK work permits
- Encouraging students at Scottish universities to stay in Scotland
- Improving first impressions of Scotland on arrival
This policy statement is based largely on the work of the project team and steering group, complemented by further work by Scottish Executive officials in partnership with their Home Office colleagues.
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