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NEW SCOTS: Attracting Fresh Talent to meet the Challenge of Growth
MOVING FORWARD
In the year since the First Minister's speech there has been considerable debate in Scotland, and the rest of the UK, about how developed countries deal with the challenges of declining population and best manage economic migration.
Few have argued that Scotland does not face a significant challenge to reverse its population decline, the figures speak for themselves.
There has been some debate however, about how a modern economy deals with this challenge, with some suggesting that boosting the birth rate is the answer. It is not government policy to exhort women to have more children in the national interest, nevertheless there are future policy implications arising from Scotland's current birth patterns.
We will, therefore, commission research on demographic trends to further inform the national debate.
The agreements we have reached with the Home Office are the first, important steps, to making it easier for Scotland to attract fresh talent, but this is the beginning, not the end of the process.
The UK Government has agreed, in principle, to work over the longer term with the Scottish Executive to find ways of encouraging migrants to the UK to live and work in Scotland - within the UK policy of managed migration.
A working group of Home Office and Scottish Executive officials will be set up to progress this work.
This statement sets out the practical measures Scotland's devolved government will take to progress its policy priority of increasing Scotland's population, but during the development of these proposals we identified several fundamental principles which will underpin all our efforts as we move forward.
Scotland's devolved government will lead an active national partnership which will create the practical framework and promote a set of values which will make Scotland one of the world's most welcoming countries.
We will ensure that public resources are used effectively, by building on the framework of schemes already in place and by encouraging more joint working between organisations. This does not rule out new initiatives where there is an obvious gap.
And we will strive to make Scotland a tolerant, open and diverse country, one where all Scots, regardless of their background or origin, feel at home.
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